AAPL · 10-Q · 2026Q2 · Full report

R&D Investment

Apple Inc. · 2026-07-31 · Importance 84 · Surprise 74 · In source text

Research and development expense increased materially year-over-year (R&D was $11,729 million in the quarter versus $8,866 million prior-year), driven primarily by higher infrastructure-related costs and investments in artificial intelligence as well as headcount-related expenses. The Company is allocating incremental resources to AI infrastructure and development, signaling a strategic prioritization of AI across products and services. The increase in R&D is a significant operating expense driver and reflects the shift toward AI-enabled feature and platform development.

Key facts

Impact estimates

metricdirectionstageexpectedbasis
operating_incomenegativerealized-2.6%R&D expense: $11,729 million in the three months ended June 27, 2026, up from $8,866 million in the prior-year quarter.
net_incomenegativerealizedR&D expense: $11,729 million in the three months ended June 27, 2026, up from $8,866 million in the prior-year quarter.