Apple reports record R&D spending for fiscal year 2026
Apple increased its research and development expenditure by 32 percent to $45.77 billion in fiscal year 2026, driven by investments in AI and infrastructure.
Apple recorded $45.77 billion in research and development (R&D) expenses for the 2026 fiscal year, representing a 32.46 percent increase from the previous year. In the fourth fiscal quarter alone, R&D spending reached $11.73 billion, compared to $8.87 billion in the same period a year prior.
During an earnings call, Chief Financial Officer Kevan Parekh attributed the rise in operational expenditure to sustained investments in semiconductor technology, product development, and infrastructure supporting artificial intelligence. The company provided guidance indicating that operating expenses are expected to grow by 11 to 13 percent in the first quarter of fiscal year 2027.
CEO John Ternus described AI as a significant opportunity for the company, particularly regarding the integration of its upgraded Siri interface. Ternus noted that current efforts are focused on cross-platform functionality, personalization, and maintaining user data privacy as core components of the AI strategy.