What We Know About Apple’s 50th Anniversary Celebration Plans (so Far)
This year, Apple turns 50. On April 1, 1976, Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak officially founded Apple Computer Company . Over the past five decades, the company has certainly left its mark on the world, introducing product lines that many of us still use today. The Mac (1985), iPhone (2007), and iPad (2010) remain popular—even though major product lines like the iPod (2001) are no longer in production.
Apple isn’t shy about celebrating anniversaries, and it seems its 50th anniversary is no exception. In a press release published Thursday , the company confirmed that it will officially celebrate 50 years of “outside-the-box thinking and innovation that has helped shape the way people connect, create, learn, and experience the world.” The announcement briefly lists the company’s most significant products—both hardware, software, and services—and promises to continue “outside-the-box thinking in the years to come.” Apple CEO Tim Cook wrote a letter to Apple.com that largely echoes this theme.
The thing is, the announcement doesn’t really explain how Apple plans to commemorate this anniversary. It says that in the coming weeks, Apple and its “global community” will “celebrate the creativity, innovation, and impact made possible by Apple technology in people around the world.” How vague!
Apple is expected to have a strong presence on social media this year.
Based on the wording of the announcement, I expect we’ll see several official Apple videos showcasing customers using their products and services. Apple Watch videos come to mind, such as ” Dear Apple .” This video features letters from Apple Watch users sharing how their watches have improved—and in some cases, saved—their lives. I wouldn’t be surprised if Apple released another version of this video to coincide with the 50th anniversary.
But I also imagine Apple will release videos showing customers using the company’s other products: musicians using MacBooks to record new tracks; artists using iPads to draw and paint; and hearing-impaired users using AirPods as hearing aids .
These videos are expected to be published on Apple’s new Instagram page, titled ” Hello Apple .” At the time of writing, the company has posted several videos, including one featuring iPhone durability tests, a short product video about the MacBook Neo, a video of an artist using an iPad, and a video demonstrating several different “interpretations” of the Apple logo. Apple also shared a letter from Tim Cook in a post here.
This year, Apple will release three products in the “Ultra” series.
But Apple doesn’t just boast about its achievements (although it’s very good at that). The company typically releases major products to mark important anniversaries. For example, for the iPhone’s 10th anniversary, the company released the iPhone X, which completely changed the product’s design and the way it was used. (Nine years later, most of us are still using the same iPhone X design.)
This year, Apple has already made a splash with its revolutionary product: the MacBook Neo . Although it wasn’t released specifically for the company’s 50th anniversary, it’s fitting that Apple unveiled this device this year. It’s too early to say for sure, but a powerful Mac available for just $499 will likely change the budget and mid-range computing market .
While the MacBook Neo is a “major” product due to its potential to revolutionize the industry, Apple may also release “major” products that offer features not found in previous models. These products are referred to as Apple’s “Ultra” products—devices that go beyond the company’s “Pro” segment. We currently expect to see three such products this year:
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iPhone Ultra : Apple hasn’t yet released a foldable smartphone capable of competing with giants like Google and Samsung. The “iPhone Ultra” (or, more likely, iPhone Fold) could very well launch for Apple’s 50th anniversary and cost around $2,000.
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AirPods Ultra : Apple’s next generation of AirPods is rumored to feature built-in cameras. However, they will be different from the cameras found in smart glasses . Instead of taking photos, they will be used for visual analysis , allowing you to ask Siri questions about your surroundings without having to reach for your iPhone.
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MacBook Ultra : Apple just released the MacBook Pro with M5 Pro and M5 Max processors , but a completely new high-end MacBook could arrive this year. The “MacBook Ultra” could offer the same M5 Pro and M5 Max processor options, but with an OLED display—a first for the Mac. However, this high-end display technology will likely cost an additional $2,199 to the Pro’s starting price.
iOS 27 was released to celebrate Apple’s 50th anniversary.
It doesn’t take much to figure out that Apple will release iOS 27 following last year’s iOS 26. However, to find out what features Apple plans to include in the new update, you can turn to leaks and rumors .
Of course, the headline feature is Apple’s updated Siri, which the company first announced back in 2024. This version of Siri is expected to be significantly improved, featuring artificial intelligence capable of analyzing various apps and files to answer complex questions and queries. Apple has delayed the release of AI-powered Siri several times as it struggles to catch up with competitors in this area, and while it’s possible the new Siri will arrive with an iOS 26 update (e.g., iOS 26.5), Apple may simply be saving it for iOS 27. Either way, a major update to Apple’s Siri could, fittingly, arrive in this anniversary year.
Rumor has it that iOS 27 will debut the Siri chatbot. You’ll be able to interact with Siri just like ChatGPT or Gemini, though I still think the only thing I really want Siri to do well is set timers and check the weather.
What not to expect from Apple’s 50th anniversary.
At this point, rumors don’t point to any major anniversary products from Apple. The company has released special editions of its products from time to time ( like the iPod U2 ), and while I’m sure there are Apple fans who would appreciate a commemorative iMac or iPhone, it’s unlikely. You’ll have to settle for a MacBook with an OLED screen or a $2,000 foldable iPhone.
As such, I don’t expect Apple to hold any anniversary sales. The incredibly reasonable price of the MacBook Neo is probably the most generous the company has ever offered. With AI companies snapping up computing components at record rates , we can only expect prices to rise.