What started out in a small garage in Los Altos, California has grown into one of the most recognisable names in technology. Today, Apple and Cupertino are permanent fixtures in every tech enthusiast’s calendar, from WWDC in June, to the iPhone launch in September.
As Apple turns 50 on April 1, 2026, here’s a snapshot of what the last five decades have been for the electronics and software brand named after a fruit.
On April 1, longtime friends Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak started Apple Computer, Inc. from Jobs’s parents’ garage in Cupertino, aiming to personalise computing and bring it into people’s homes and offices.
The Apple I, a hand‑assembled circuit board priced at $666.66, became a hobbyist favourite and marked Apple’s entry into personal computing.
Apple’s first true consumer product, the Apple II, brought colour graphics and easy‑to‑use software to homes, schools, and small businesses moving things forward in the personal computer space.
Apple introduced the Macintosh, bringing the “point and click” mouse interface to the masses. The now‑iconic Super Bowl ad famously declared, “And you’ll see why 1984 won’t be like ‘1984’.”
In 1985, Steve Jobs was fired by Apple’s board. Over the next decade, he founded NeXT computing which dealt with high-end computers, that later was acquired by Apple.
Steve Jobs returned to a struggling Apple, sparking one of the most dramatic turnarounds in corporate history.
Most desktop computers in the late ’90s were beige in colour and business‑focused.
The colourful iMac changed that, offering a fun, easy‑to‑use computer that ditched the floppy drive and embraced USB which pushed Apple as a PC brand forward.
With the launch of the iPod, Apple expanded beyond computers and into portable music. Mac OS X was launched using a UNIX‑based foundation that still the foundation for Apple’s operating systems today.
That year, Apple also opened its first two retail stores, reshaping how people discovered and purchased technology.
When Steve Jobs unveiled the iPhone, few could have predicted its impact for the coming years. Its touchscreen design redefined what a phone could be. Today, the iPhone is synonymous with professional‑grade photography and video.
Apple launched the App Store with 500 apps, which later expanded into a large software distribution platform. The MacBook Air was introduced when Steve Jobs took it out of a manila envelope, establishing the ultrathin laptop format.
Apple brought multitouch to a larger, portable device with the iPad. Its versatility made it a favourite across industries — from aviation to food service to education. 2011 saw Steve Jobs hand the baton of the company to Tim Cook as Apple CEO before he passed away.
With the introduction of the Apple Watch and Apple music streaming service in 2015. these cemented Apple’s place as a hardware and software company.
Apple began transitioning the Mac to its own custom silicon. The M1 chip based on ARM architecture which marked a major leap in performance and efficiency.
Apple launched its first spatial computer, Vision Pro, blending digital content with the real world and introducing the era of spatial computing through AR and VR.
iPhone 17 demand reached all‑time highs, accompanied by record customer satisfaction. Apple’s Services division crossed $100 billion annually for the first time, driven by Apple Music, Apple TV+, and the App Store.
As Apple enters its 50th year, its focus on India is clearer than ever, with smartphone shipment share rising to 12 per cent in Q4 2025 from 9 per cent in Q3 2025, according to Counterpoint Research, and five iPhone manufacturing plants now operating in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka through partners Foxconn and Tata Electronics. It signals an even stronger role for India in Apple’s future growth.
Published on March 31, 2026
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