UPDATE March 12, 2026

Apple to celebrate 50 years of thinking different

Apple today announced it will mark its 50th anniversary, celebrating five decades of thinking different and the innovations that have helped shape the way people connect, create, learn, and experience the world.

Since its founding on April 1, 1976, Apple has been driven by a belief that progress comes from those who challenge convention and imagine what could be. That spirit of thinking different has led to products and services that have transformed entire industries and enriched the lives of people around the globe. From groundbreaking products like Apple II and Macintosh, to iPod, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Mac, and Apple Vision Pro, and to services that users rely on every day, from the App Store to Apple Music, Apple Pay, iCloud, and Apple TV, Apple has consistently combined powerful technology with intuitive design to empower individuals to do extraordinary things.

While Apple is known for looking forward, this milestone offers a special moment to reflect on the journey that has brought the company here, to celebrate the people and communities who have thought different with us, and to honor the enduring values that continue to guide our work.

To mark this occasion, CEO Tim Cook has shared a letter on apple.com reflecting on the company’s history and values, and celebrating people who have shaped Apple over the past 50 years.

In the coming weeks, Apple and its global community will celebrate the company’s 50th anniversary, recognizing the creativity, innovation, and impact that people around the world have made possible with Apple technology.

“Thinking different has always been at the heart of Apple,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “It’s what has driven us to create products that empower people to express themselves, to connect, and to create something wonderful. As we celebrate 50 years, we are deeply grateful to everyone who has been part of this journey and who continues to inspire what comes next.”

From the beginning, Apple has believed that technology alone is not enough. It is the intersection of technology and the liberal arts, guided by a human touch, that makes its products meaningful. That belief continues to shape Apple’s work today, from advancing Apple Intelligence, to creating products and services designed with privacy at their core, built for accessibility and created with the planet in mind.

As Apple celebrates this milestone, the company remains focused on the future and on continuing to think different in the years ahead. Apple will continue to innovate in groundbreaking silicon, life-enriching products, transformative software, and services that improve people’s lives, while deepening its commitments to environmental responsibility, education, and community impact around the world.

Media

Text of this article

March 12, 2026

UPDATE

Apple to celebrate 50 years of thinking different

Apple today announced it will mark its 50th anniversary, celebrating five decades of thinking different and the innovations that have helped shape the way people connect, create, learn, and experience the world.

Since its founding on April 1, 1976, Apple has been driven by a belief that progress comes from those who challenge convention and imagine what could be. That spirit of thinking different has led to products and services that have transformed entire industries and enriched the lives of people around the globe. From groundbreaking products like Apple II and Macintosh, to iPod, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Mac, and Apple Vision Pro, and to services that users rely on every day, from the App Store to Apple Music, Apple Pay, iCloud, and Apple TV, Apple has consistently combined powerful technology with intuitive design to empower individuals to do extraordinary things.

While Apple is known for looking forward, this milestone offers a special moment to reflect on the journey that has brought the company here, to celebrate the people and communities who have thought different with us, and to honor the enduring values that continue to guide our work.

To mark this occasion, CEO Tim Cook has shared a letter on apple.com reflecting on the company’s history and values, and celebrating people who have shaped Apple over the past 50 years.

In the coming weeks, Apple and its global community will celebrate the company’s 50th anniversary, recognizing the creativity, innovation, and impact that people around the world have made possible with Apple technology.

“Thinking different has always been at the heart of Apple,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “It’s what has driven us to create products that empower people to express themselves, to connect, and to create something wonderful. As we celebrate 50 years, we are deeply grateful to everyone who has been part of this journey and who continues to inspire what comes next.”

From the beginning, Apple has believed that technology alone is not enough. It is the intersection of technology and the liberal arts, guided by a human touch, that makes its products meaningful. That belief continues to shape Apple’s work today, from advancing Apple Intelligence, to creating products and services designed with privacy at their core, built for accessibility and created with the planet in mind.

As Apple celebrates this milestone, the company remains focused on the future and on continuing to think different in the years ahead. Apple will continue to innovate in groundbreaking silicon, life-enriching products, transformative software, and services that improve people’s lives, while deepening its commitments to environmental responsibility, education, and community impact around the world.

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Apple Media Helpline

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Press Contacts

Apple Media Helpline

media.help@apple.com