Apple Inc.’s history has been like a rollercoaster—from starting in a garage to becoming the world’s most valuable company, then nearly going bankrupt in the 1990s, and finally returning to the top with Steve Jobs’ comeback.
Here’s a concise overview of Apple’s rise, fall, comeback, and current figures:
Rise (1976–1984): Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak sparked the personal computer revolution with the Apple I and Apple II.
Fall (1985–1996): Due to internal conflicts, Jobs was forced out. The company lost its direction and, by 1996, was on the verge of bankruptcy.
Comeback (1997–Present): With Jobs’ return, products like the iMac, iPod, and iPhone transformed Apple’s fortunes. Today, Apple has built a massive ecosystem of hardware and services.
As of April 2026, Apple has set several new financial records:
Total Revenue: $416 billion in fiscal year 2025, up 6.4% year-over-year.
Market Cap: Approximately $3.82 trillion as of April 2026.
Net Income: A record profit of $112 billion in 2025.
Active Devices: Over 2.5 billion Apple devices are in active use worldwide.
Apple Inc (AAPL)
iPhone: Contributes around 50–59% of total revenue.
Services: Revenue from App Store, iCloud, and Apple Music has surpassed $100 billion.
Other Segments: Mac ($33B), iPad ($28B), and Wearables/Accessories ($35B) also contribute significantly.
Today, there are two types of opinions in the market about Apple:
Bullish View:
Ecosystem Strength: Experts believe Apple’s “closed ecosystem” keeps users locked in, maintaining a 98% customer satisfaction rate.
AI & Future: The launch of “Apple Intelligence” (AI) has generated excitement, which could further boost iPhone demand in the coming years.
Growth in Services: Investors are pleased that Apple is no longer just a hardware company but also a major player in the services sector.
Bearish View:
Some people and investors believe that newer iPhone models (like iPhone 17) lack groundbreaking innovation.
Challenges in China: Increasing competition and declining demand in China remain major concerns for Apple.
Regulatory Pressure: Apple is facing global scrutiny and legal challenges over its “closed ecosystem” and App Store policies.