Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg launched a sharp critique of Apple during a recent Joe Rogan podcast appearance, calling out the tech giant for stagnating innovation and maintaining restrictive policies that he claims hurt competition.
During the candid discussion, Zuckerberg argued that Apple has been "coasting" on the success of the iPhone without delivering truly innovative products in recent years. "Steve Jobs invented the iPhone and now they're just kind of sitting on it 20 years later," the Meta chief stated, suggesting Apple has been "off their game" when it comes to breakthrough innovations. In the fast-paced world of technology, Apple's Pro Display XDR stands as a curious anomaly. Launched in December 2019 alongside the Mac Pro, this high-end monitor has remained unchanged for almost five years. As we approach the end of 2023, there's still no sign of an update on the horizon.
Beyond criticizing Apple's product development, Zuckerberg took aim at the company's App Store policies, particularly the 30% commission on transactions. He claimed these "arbitrary" rules significantly impact Meta's bottom line, stating his company could potentially double its profits if Apple's restrictions were lifted.
The Meta CEO warned that companies who fail to innovate risk losing their market position, noting that "if you just don't do a good job for like 10 years, eventually, you're just going to get beat by someone."
This criticism comes as Apple faces mounting pressure over its App Store practices, including regulatory scrutiny in the EU and a U.S. Department of Justice lawsuit examining potential monopolistic behavior.
The tension between the tech giants has been building, with Zuckerberg previously questioning the market appeal of Apple's Vision Pro and advocating for "fashionable AI glasses without a display" as a more practical alternative in the augmented reality space.
While Apple's stock has seen a 27.21% increase over the past year, Meta has outperformed with a 66.24% gain during the same period. However, in 2025, Apple has experienced a 2.56% decline while Meta has grown by 4.45%.