In the third fiscal quarter of FY2026, Apple’s research and development (R&D) expenditure soared to $11.73 billion, setting a new quarterly record. This figure reflects a substantial 32% year-on-year (YoY) increase and also marks an uptick from the $11.4 billion recorded in the second fiscal quarter. Over the first three fiscal quarters of FY2026, Apple’s cumulative R&D spending has amounted to $34.04 billion, approaching the $34.55 billion spent throughout the entirety of FY2025. Apple CEO Tim Cook disclosed that the growth rate of R&D spending significantly outpaces the company’s overall growth rate, with a notable surge in R&D investment directed towards the field of artificial intelligence (AI). CFO Kevin Parekh mentioned that AI-related expenditures are being folded into the broader investments in the existing product roadmap; however, specific figures and proportions were not disclosed.