abstract: Some mechanical parameters of fruit can be useful to estimate the state of apple. In this study, the author assigned and modelled firmness variability of winter apple varieties (Elstar, Gloster, Idared, Jonagold, Ligol and Melrose) during shelf-life. The statistical analysis of variance was used to estimate the relationship between mechanical parameters and the changeability factors (storage time and apple variety). The linear model description of the apple firmness variability during shelf-live can be useful to estimate the state of fruit and to define the safe periods of apple shelf-life.