- Brand origin
- United States
- Main production
- China
Apple is a United States technology company that makes consumer electronics, software and online services. Apple is ultimately owned by Apple Inc., a publicly listed company headquartered in Cupertino, California.
apple.comAbout Apple
What is Apple?
Apple is a United States technology company headquartered at Apple Park in Cupertino, California. Apple designs, manufactures and markets smartphones, personal computers, tablets, wearables, accessories and related services. Apple’s products and services include iPhone, Mac, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV, Apple Music, Apple Pay, Apple Card and iCloud. Apple’s official website is apple.com. Apple products are sold across the Americas, Europe, Greater China, Japan and the rest of the Asia Pacific region. Apple’s supply chain includes thousands of supplier facilities in more than 60 countries. Apple products are designed in California and built by people around the world.
Who owns Apple?
Apple is ultimately owned by Apple Inc., according to Made O’Meter’s ownership data verified on 13 September 2026. Apple Inc. is a publicly listed company headquartered in the United States. Apple Inc. is itself the operating company behind the Apple brand, so there is no separate consumer parent company above Apple Inc. Apple shares are held by public investors, including institutional investment managers. Apple’s official investor relations address is One Apple Park Way, Cupertino, California. Apple Inc. trades publicly under the ticker symbol AAPL.
Where does Apple come from?
Apple originated in the United States. Apple Computer Company was founded on 1 April 1976 in Los Altos, California, by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne. The founders created the business to market Wozniak’s Apple I computer. Apple began as a partnership and incorporated as Apple Computer, Inc. in January 1977. Apple’s first product was the Apple I, which Wozniak built and the company initially sold without a monitor, keyboard or casing. Ronald Wayne left Apple eleven days after its founding and sold his 10 percent stake for $800. Apple introduced the Apple II in 1977. The computer used color graphics and helped establish Apple’s early commercial success. Apple’s sales increased from $7.8 million in 1978 to $117 million in 1980. Apple held its initial public offering in December 1980, offering 4.6 million shares at $22 per share. Apple introduced the Lisa personal computer in January 1983. Apple introduced the Macintosh in January 1984 through a television commercial that aired during the Super Bowl. Steve Jobs left Apple in 1985 after internal leadership conflicts. Apple bought Jobs’s company NeXT Software in December 1996, and Jobs returned to Apple in 1997. Apple introduced the iMac in August 1998 after Jobs became interim chief executive. Apple introduced iTunes in January 2001 and the iPod in October 2001. Apple began selling downloadable music through the iTunes Music Store in 2003. Apple unveiled the iPhone in January 2007 and changed its corporate name from Apple Computer, Inc. to Apple Inc. during that year. Apple became the first company to reach a $1 trillion market capitalization in 2018.
What products does Apple make?
Apple makes iPhone smartphones, Mac computers, iPad tablets, Apple Watch wearables, Apple TV devices and accessories. Apple also provides software and online services, including iOS, macOS, iPadOS, watchOS, tvOS, iCloud, Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Pay and the App Store. Apple introduced the iPhone in 2007. Apple announced the Apple Watch in September 2014 and introduced the wearable product in 2015. Apple announced the Apple TV service in 2019 and offers television programming through Apple TV+. Apple’s products combine hardware, operating systems, applications and subscription services. Apple’s product range serves consumer, education, business and professional users.
Who is the Apple CEO?
John Ternus is Apple’s chief executive officer as of September 2026. Tim Cook became Apple’s executive chairman after serving as chief executive officer from 2011. Steve Jobs was Apple’s co-founder and served as chief executive during two periods, including after his return in 1997. Apple’s chief executive leads the publicly listed Apple Inc. from its headquarters in Cupertino, California.
How does Apple manufacture its products?
Apple relies on manufacturing partners and component suppliers concentrated in Asia, while Apple products are designed in California. Apple’s supply chain includes thousands of supplier facilities in more than 60 countries. Apple also announced expanded manufacturing commitments in the United States. Apple and Corning announced that all cover glass for iPhone and Apple Watch units sold worldwide would be made at Corning’s facility in Harrodsburg, Kentucky. Apple also announced work with suppliers producing advanced silicon at TSMC’s Fab 21 facility in Arizona. Manufacturing therefore involves Apple’s own operations, global component suppliers and contract manufacturing partners.
What companies and products has Apple acquired or introduced?
Apple has expanded through new products and acquisitions. Apple acquired Steve Jobs’s NeXT Software in December 1996, a transaction connected with Jobs’s return to Apple. Apple announced the acquisition of Beats for $3 billion in May 2014. Apple introduced the iMac in 1998, iTunes and the iPod in 2001, the iTunes Music Store in 2003, the iPhone in 2007 and Apple Watch in 2015. These products extended Apple from personal computers into music, smartphones, wearables and digital services. Apple changed its corporate name from Apple Computer, Inc. to Apple Inc. in 2007.
How large is Apple’s market and business?
Apple reports geographic revenue regions covering the Americas, Europe, Greater China, Japan and the rest of Asia Pacific. Apple’s reported June quarter revenue for 2026 was $102.5 billion, according to a company press release issued in July 2026. Apple reported $111.2 billion in revenue for the March quarter of 2026. Apple became the first company to reach a $1 trillion market capitalization in 2018. Apple sells products and services through retail stores, online channels, third-party retailers, mobile carriers and digital platforms. The company’s business therefore combines device sales with recurring and transaction-based services.
What regulatory action has Apple faced?
The European Commission fined Apple €1.84 billion in March 2024 over conduct that prevented rival music-streaming services from informing iPhone users about cheaper subscription options outside the App Store. The action concerned Apple’s rules for music-streaming applications distributed through the App Store. Apple’s App Store policies have also been examined by regulators and lawmakers in multiple markets. Regulatory scrutiny has focused on app distribution, payment systems, competition and how Apple communicates with users about alternative purchasing options.
Frequently asked questions about Apple
Who actually owns Apple?
- Apple is ultimately owned by Apple Inc., a publicly listed United States company headquartered in Cupertino, California. Apple Inc. is the operating company behind the Apple brand, and its shares are held by public investors.
How much of Apple does Bill Gates own?
- Bill Gates is not identified as a controlling owner of Apple. Apple is publicly listed, and available shareholder information identifies institutional investors rather than Bill Gates as the major disclosed holders.
Does Warren Buffett still own Apple?
- Berkshire Hathaway has historically held Apple shares, but the amount can change through portfolio transactions. Warren Buffett does not personally own Apple as a private owner, and Apple remains owned through publicly traded shares held by investors.
Is Apple making a foldable phone?
- Apple has not officially confirmed a commercially available foldable iPhone in the information available for this profile. Reports and search interest about an Apple folding phone do not establish an official product launch.
Is Apple Music free?
- Apple Music is a subscription music service rather than a permanently free service. Apple may offer trials or promotional access, but continued access generally requires a paid subscription.
Is Apple TV free?
- Apple TV is not one single free product. The Apple TV app can be downloaded without a subscription, while Apple TV+ is a subscription streaming service and some programs or channels may require payment.
Is Apple Pay safe?
- Apple Pay uses device-based payment credentials and authentication methods such as Face ID, Touch ID or a passcode. Safety also depends on the user’s device security, account security, card issuer and the merchant.
Is Apple Watch waterproof?
- Apple Watch models are water resistant rather than completely waterproof. The level of water resistance depends on the model, age, condition and activity, and Apple’s water resistance guidance should be checked before swimming or exposing a watch to water.
Sources: sec.gov, marketscreener.com, alphaspread.com, apple.com: apple increases us commitment to 600 billion usd announces ambitious program, apple.com: supply chain, en.wikipedia.org: Apple Inc, investor.apple.com, stockanalysis.com, britannica.com: Apple Inc, britannica.com: apple inc, britannica.com: 2011 2019 Tim Cooks leadership and Apples expansion, en.wikipedia.org: Outline of Apple Inc., britannica.com: Apple Inc, guides.loc.gov, computerhistory.org, britannica.com: Apple Inc, businessinsider.com, cnn.com, en.wikipedia.org: History of Apple Inc., britannica.com: Apple Inc, 9to5mac.com, umbrex.com, wikiwand.com
Sources: apple.com
Ownership data is compiled from public sources and verified where possible. Spotted an error? Suggest a correction below.
Products from Apple
179- Apple Magic Keyboard for iPadElectronics – Tablet Keyboard Case
- Apple iPhone SE / 7 / 8 SmartphoneOther – Consumer Electronics / Smartphone
- Apple Siri Remote (2nd generation)Consumer Electronics – Remote Control
- Apple iPhone 5sElectronic - Mobile Phone
- Apple Mac StudioComputer - Desktop Workstation
- Apple Watch (with Nike Sport Band)Consumer Electronics – Smartwatch
- Apple iPhone SEOther – Smartphone
- Apple electronicsOther – Electronic device
- Apple iPod Universal Dock AdapterConsumer Electronics – MP3 Player Accessory
- Apple iPad Pro with Magic KeyboardOther – Consumer Electronics (Tablet and Accessories)
- Apple Mac mini (M4)Consumer Electronics – Desktop Computer
- Apple iPad with Magic KeyboardOther – Consumer Electronics (Tablet and Keyboard)
- Apple Watch with rugged protective caseElectronics – Smartwatch
- Apple iPad Pro (with Magic Keyboard)Consumer Electronics - Tablet and Computing Accessories
- Apple TV Siri RemoteElectronics – Remote Control
- Apple AirPods Pro Wireless Charging CaseElectronics – Wireless Earphones & Charging Case
- Apple Mail email clientOther – Software / Email Client
- Apple AirTag (4 pack)Other – Consumer Electronics / Bluetooth Tracking Device
- Apple Mac Mini M6Consumer Electronics – Desktop Computer
- Apple AirPods Max 2Other – Wireless Over-Ear Headphones
- Apple Maps for iPhoneSoftware – Navigation and Mapping Service
- iPhone 16ePersonal Electronics – Smartphone
- Apple Power AdapterOther – Electronic Power Adapter
- Apple macOS Lock ScreenOther – Software operating system
and 155 more products
Alternatives to Apple
Brands in the same category that are not American-owned:
- See all products from Samsung
Samsung
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. · South Korea
- See all products from Motorola
Motorola
Lenovo Group Limited · China
- See all products from Redmi
Redmi
Xiaomi Corporation · China
- See all products from Xiaomi
Xiaomi
Xiaomi Corporation · China
- See all products from Oppo
Oppo
Guangdong Oujia Holdings Co., Ltd. · China
- See all products from TECNO
TECNO
Shenzhen Transsion Holdings Co., Ltd. · China

