Apple

Maker of consumer electronics, software and services.

Consumer electronicsSmartphonesPersonal computersSoftwareDigital services

IPO^{Source [2]}Last verified Oct 2, 2026

About Apple

Apple designs, manufactures and markets smartphones, personal computers, tablets, wearables and accessories, and sells a range of related services. It was founded on April 1, 1976 by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and adviser Ronald Wayne, and had its first hit with the Apple II in 1977.^{Source [6]}^{Source [2]}^{Source [1]}

After Jobs left in 1985, Apple bought his company NeXT in 1997 and he returned to lead it. Over the next decade it introduced the iPod (2001), iPhone (2007) and iPad (2010). Tim Cook became CEO in 2011 and oversaw new categories such as Apple Watch, AirPods and Apple Vision Pro and the growth of services.^{Source [7]}^{Source [8]}^{Source [9]}^{Source [10]}^{Source [11]}

In fiscal 2025 Apple reported net sales of $416.2 billion, of which iPhone was $209.6 billion and Services $109.2 billion, and net income of $112.0 billion. It had about 166,000 full-time equivalent employees as of September 27, 2025, and sells through its own retail and online stores as well as carriers and resellers.^{Source [6]}

John Ternus, who joined Apple's product design team in 2001 and led hardware engineering, became CEO on September 1, 2026. Tim Cook became executive chairman and Arthur Levinson lead independent director on the same date.^{Source [11]}^{Source [12]}

Watch

Apple Event September 9 2026: Introducing iPhone Duo and more by Apple on YouTube

What happened

Founded on April 1, 1976 by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak as a partnership, Apple Computer Co., and went public in late 1980. Jobs resigned in 1985 and returned after Apple acquired NeXT in February 1997, becoming interim CEO that September. Tim Cook succeeded Jobs as CEO on August 24, 2011, and John Ternus succeeded Cook on September 1, 2026, with Cook becoming executive chairman.^{Source [2]}^{Source [7]}^{Source [4]}^{Source [11]}

Timeline

2026-09John Ternus became CEO and Tim Cook executive chairman.^{Source [11]}^{Source [12]}
2026-04Marked its 50th anniversary.^{Source [1]}^{Source [2]}
2014-05Agreed to acquire Beats Music and Beats Electronics for $3 billion.^{Source [13]}
2011-10Apple's board announced the death of Steve Jobs.^{Source [5]}
2011-08Tim Cook succeeded Steve Jobs as CEO.^{Source [4]}
2010-01Introduced iPad.^{Source [10]}
2007-01Introduced iPhone.^{Source [9]}
2001-10Introduced iPod.^{Source [8]}
1997-09Named Steve Jobs interim CEO.^{Source [7]}
1997-02Acquired NeXT for $427 million.^{Source [7]}
1985-09Steve Jobs resigned after the board sided with CEO John Sculley.^{Source [2]}
1984-01Introduced the Macintosh.^{Source [2]}
1980Went public at $22 a share.^{Source [2]}
1977-06Released the Apple II.^{Source [2]}
1976-04Founded as Apple Computer Co.^{Source [2]}^{Source [1]}

Products and brands

iPhone: Smartphones running iOS; Apple's largest product line.^{Source [6]}
Mac: Laptops and desktops running macOS.^{Source [6]}
iPad: Tablets running iPadOS.^{Source [6]}
Apple Watch: Smartwatches running watchOS.^{Source [6]}
AirPods: Wireless headphones.^{Source [6]}
Apple Vision Pro: Spatial computer.^{Source [6]}^{Source [1]}
App Store: Platform for apps and digital content.^{Source [6]}
Services: Advertising, AppleCare, iCloud, Apple Music, Apple TV, Apple Pay and other subscriptions.^{Source [6]}

How it makes money: Sells hardware (iPhone, Mac, iPad, wearables, home and accessories) and services (advertising, AppleCare, cloud, digital content and payments) directly through its retail and online stores and indirectly through carriers and resellers; indirect channels accounted for 60% of fiscal 2025 net sales.^{Source [6]}

Leadership

John Ternus	CEO^{Source [11]}^{Source [12]}	Since 2026
Tim Cook	Executive Chairman^{Source [11]}^{Source [12]}	Since 2026
Kevan Parekh	Chief Financial Officer^{Source [12]}
Sabih Khan	Chief Operating Officer^{Source [12]}
Arthur Levinson	Lead Independent Director^{Source [11]}^{Source [12]}	Since 2026

Funding and financials

Revenue: $416.2 billion (fiscal 2025)^{Source [6]}
Net income: $112.0 billion (fiscal 2025)^{Source [6]}
Market capitalization: About $4 trillion (April 2026)^{Source [11]}

Notable acquisitions

Beats Music and Beats Electronics^{Source [13]}	2014	$3 billion
NeXT^{Source [7]}	1997	$427 million

People on Founded, and where they went next

1 person on record, connected to 2 other companies.

Person	Here	Also built
Steve Jobs	Co-founder, Director, Interim CEO, CEO, Chairman of the Board1976 to 2011	Pixar Animation Studios2006AcquiredNeXT1985 to 1997Acquired

Sources

Apple to celebrate 50 years of thinking different, Apple, 2026-03-12. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
Apple turns 50: A look back its journey from garage startup to tech titan, The Associated Press via NBC Bay Area, 2026-04-01. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
Steve Jobs, Disney Legend (inducted 2013), D23 / The Walt Disney Company. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
Steve Jobs Resigns as CEO of Apple, Apple, 2011-08-24. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
Statement by Apple's Board of Directors, Apple, 2011-10-05. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
Apple Inc. Form 10-K for fiscal year 2025, Apple Inc. via SEC EDGAR, 2025-10-31. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
Apple Computer, Inc. Form 10-K for fiscal year 1997, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (EDGAR), 1997-12-05. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
Apple Presents iPod, Apple, 2001-10-23. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
Apple Reinvents the Phone with iPhone, Apple, 2007-01-09. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
Apple Launches iPad, Apple, 2010-01-27. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
Tim Cook to become Apple Executive Chairman; John Ternus to become Apple CEO, Apple, 2026-04-20. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
Apple Leadership, Apple. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.
Apple to Acquire Beats Music & Beats Electronics, Apple, 2014-05-28. Accessed Oct 2, 2026.

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