Over recent years, tech giant Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) has lost its distinction as the most-watched stock in the market. The company’s sluggish product sales growth has led to it becoming a less discussed name among the Magnificent Seven.

This can be achieved by analyzing the characteristics that have made Apple so successful over the last two decades. Innovative products are a big part of that story. But there's a secret ingredient hiding in plain sight that is responsible for the company's current market cap of $4 trillion.

Apple has a new iPhone update in the wings, and it’s about to make its entrance. Although there had been plentiful reports that an interim update was on its way, it’s now near-certain that the next iPhone software release will be iOS 26.1. Here’s why that’s a good thing.

Not offering any version of black for Pro models might seem counterintuitive, since the iPhone 16 Pro Max black titanium version has been a big seller, and black has also been popular with iPhone 17 shoppers. But a lack of black has not hurt iPhone 17 Pro sales.

Both the iPad Mini and iPad Air could soon benefit from OLED displays, but it might make Apple's tablets a more expensive proposition.

This could be the last call for iPhone users who can upgrade to iOS 26 but don’t want to: iOS 18.7.2 will be one of the final releases.

Apple is reportedly developing a budget-friendly MacBook to rival Chromebooks, expected in 2026, priced around $600–$900.

For its first major iOS 26 update, Apple adds live translation improvements, streamlined gesture controls, and visual settings, and more. Updates are also available for iPadOS and macOS.