Does Apple still innovate? A big criticism I hear from people who prefer Android and Windows is that Apple does not innovate anymore, and they just copy Samsung or Microsoft.

GPT-5.4

Vote: Yes

Apple still innovates, but often in a different way than people mean when they say “innovation.” They are less focused on being first, and more focused on making technologies mature, polished, and widely usable. Many major Apple products and features show real innovation in integration: Apple Silicon dramatically improved laptop performance-per-watt, the Apple Watch became a leading wearable by combining hardware, software, and health features effectively, and Vision Pro pushed forward high-end spatial computing. Those are not just copies. It is fair to say Apple sometimes adopts ideas that appeared elsewhere first. But being first is not the only measure of innovation. Turning rough concepts into products that scale, feel cohesive, and reshape user expectations is also innovation. So the stronger answer is yes: Apple still innovates, even if its style is iterative, ecosystem-driven, and refinement-heavy rather than constantly flashy or first-to-market.

Grok 4.1 Fast

Vote: Yes

Apple continues to innovate, particularly in hardware and ecosystem integration. The transition to Apple Silicon (M-series chips) revolutionized performance and efficiency, outperforming many competitors and enabling features like on-device AI in Apple Intelligence. Products like the Vision Pro headset introduce spatial computing, a new paradigm blending AR/VR with productivity tools, which competitors have yet to match in seamlessness. Software advancements, such as advanced health monitoring in Apple Watch (e.g., ECG, sleep apnea detection) and privacy-focused features like Private Cloud Compute, demonstrate ongoing R&D leadership. While Apple refines ideas from others (e.g., Dynamic Island improving on notch designs), their execution, battery life, and ecosystem cohesion set them apart—innovation isn't just invention but superior realization.

Kimi K2.5

Vote: Yes

Apple absolutely continues to innovate, though critics often conflate innovation with being first to market. Apple's silicon development alone represents massive innovation—the transition from Intel to Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3 chips) delivered revolutionary performance-per-watt gains that reshaped the entire PC industry and forced competitors to play catch-up. Innovation isn't just about hardware specs. Apple's integration of on-device machine learning (Neural Engine), industry-leading privacy protections like App Tracking Transparency, and accessibility features such as Eye Tracking for iPad represent genuine technological advancement that competitors struggle to match. The company consistently refines existing categories rather than chasing novelty for its own sake. Features like the Dynamic Island, Spatial Audio, and the Vision Pro's spatial computing demonstrate ongoing R&D investment. While Samsung may release folding phones first, Apple's approach typically focuses on usability and ecosystem cohesion—waiting until technology is mature enough to actually improve user experience. Finally, Apple's vertical integration of hardware, software, and services creates innovations impossible for fragmented Android/Windows ecosystems to replicate seamlessly, such as Universal Control, Continuity, and the new Journal app with on-device suggestions.

Gemini 3.1 Pro

Vote: Yes

Apple's approach to innovation has evolved from constantly inventing new product categories to achieving deep vertical integration and redefining existing technologies. The clearest example of their ongoing innovation is Apple Silicon. The transition to M-series chips completely disrupted the PC industry, offering a level of performance-per-watt that competitors like Microsoft and Intel are still struggling to match. This wasn't a copied feature; it was a fundamental architectural shift that redefined laptop capabilities. While it is true that Apple often adopts features later than Android (such as high refresh rate screens or widgets), they typically focus on execution and ecosystem integration rather than simply being 'first.' Innovations like Universal Control, MagSafe for iPhone, and the seamless continuity between devices demonstrate a unique, industry-leading focus on user experience. Furthermore, the introduction of the Apple Vision Pro proves they are still willing to take massive risks on frontier technologies. By blending cutting-edge hardware with a completely new spatial operating system, Apple continues to push the boundaries of consumer technology.

Sonar Pro

Vote: Yes

Apple continues to innovate, as evidenced by multiple 2026 product launches and announcements that introduce new hardware, chips, and features not previously seen from the company. In March 2026, Apple released nine new products, including the budget iPhone 17e, MacBook Air and Pro with M5 chips, MacBook Neo, M4 iPad Air, AirPods Max 2, and updated Studio Displays with Mini-LED, signaling fresh advancements in performance, efficiency, and accessibility[2][5][7]. CEO Tim Cook explicitly stated opportunities for 'innovations that have never been seen before' in 2026 earnings calls, with Apple teasing AI upgrades at WWDC26, a more conversational Siri powered by deeper Google integration and in-house AI chatbot, and upcoming categories like foldable iPhone and Apple Glasses[1][2][3][4][6][8]. These developments counter criticisms of copying competitors, as Apple's custom silicon (M5 series), ecosystem integrations, and new form factors like MacBook Neo demonstrate original engineering focused on user experience and future tech like AI and foldables[1][5][6][8]. While some updates build on industry trends, the scale, integration, and company commitments to groundbreaking silicon and transformative software affirm ongoing innovation[1][2].

Final Summary

The AI Roundtable delivered a unanimous verdict, effectively dismissing the 'copycat' narrative in favor of a broader definition of technological progress. While acknowledging that Apple rarely claims the 'first to market' trophy, models like GPT-5.4 and Kimi K2.5 argued that the company's real genius lies in vertical integration and the industry-disrupting performance of custom silicon.

No agreement after 1 rounds of discussion. Final vote: Yes: 5

Strongest Arguments

• Yes: Apple Silicon represents a fundamental architectural shift that redefined performance-per-watt and forced the entire PC industry to play catch-up, proving innovation is about deep technical disruption rather than just surface-level features.