Apple's Annual R&D Spending Jumps by More Than $11 Billion
Apple's research and development (R&D) spending increased by $11.22 billion in fiscal 2026, reaching $45.77 billion, according to the company's financial statements.
The figures represent a 32% increase from $34.55 billion in fiscal 2025. That works out to roughly $125 million a day spent on developing Apple's products and technologies during its financial year, which ended on September 26.
Research spending grew considerably faster than sales. Apple's annual revenue increased 15%, while its R&D expenses rose by nearly a third. The company now spends close to one dollar on research and development for every ten dollars it brings in.
Despite the annual jump, spending barely changed between the final two quarters of the year. Apple recorded $11.730 billion in R&D expenses in the September quarter, just $1 million more than the $11.729 billion reported in its June-quarter results.
Apple previously linked its growing development budget to AI. During its April earnings call, CFO Kevan Parekh said AI investment would come on top of spending already planned for Apple's product roadmap. Then-CEO Tim Cook also highlighted increased R&D spending when asked about the company's AI investments.
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