Apple Inc. shares have finally turned positive for the year after the tech giant unveiled its latest lineup of devices last Friday, signaling renewed investor optimism around the company’s core hardware business. With a 4% gain on Monday, Apple’s stock now stands a little over 2% higher for 2025, making it the last of the major tech megacaps to erase its earlier losses.
The recent rally follows Apple’s release of the iPhone 17, the latest Apple Watch, and updated AirPods models. The midrange $999 iPhone Air, in particular, represents the first substantial redesign of the iPhone in several years, and early indicators suggest that consumer demand is robust. Analysts point to extended shipping times as evidence: Bank of America Securities noted that as of September 22, the estimated delivery time for the iPhone 17 is 18 days, compared with 10 days last year for the iPhone 16. Pre-orders in China, one of Apple’s most important markets, are also showing strong uptake, analysts say, reinforcing the global appetite for the new devices.
Apple’s stock had lagged behind its tech peers for much of 2025, reflecting a slower adoption of artificial intelligence and a more measured approach to building data centers compared with rivals like Microsoft and Google. The company also postponed a major improvement to its Siri virtual assistant until 2026, raising concerns that it could be falling behind competitors in integrating AI into everyday products. Despite this, Apple is introducing AI-driven features in its new products: the AirPods Pro 3 can automatically translate spoken language in real time, while the new Apple Watch models use machine learning to alert users to potential high blood pressure risks, showcasing Apple’s incremental but growing AI capabilities.
Investors have responded favorably to the combination of innovative hardware and AI-enhanced features, contributing to the stock’s short-term gains. The company’s ability to maintain strong demand for its devices, particularly in key markets such as the U.S. and China, underscores the enduring appeal of Apple’s ecosystem, even as other tech giants have leaned heavily into AI and cloud services for growth.
Apple’s broader strategy continues to focus on its core hardware and services business while cautiously expanding into AI-enabled features. Analysts say the early demand signals and extended wait times for the iPhone 17 indicate that consumers remain willing to pay premium prices for new Apple products, a positive sign for the company’s revenue and margins in the second half of the year.
While some investors have criticized Apple for trailing its competitors in AI investments, the company’s measured approach may appeal to shareholders seeking steady, hardware-driven revenue rather than aggressive bets on emerging technology. With the launch of the iPhone 17 and complementary devices, Apple has not only invigorated its product lineup but also strengthened its position among global consumers — a factor that helped push its stock into positive territory for 2025 after months of relative underperformance compared with its peers.
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