Apple overtook Microsoft in 2010 to become the world’s most valuable company by market capitalization.
Apple passed Microsoft in May 2010 as investors responded to strong iPhone sales and anticipation surrounding the iPad. The change marked a major shift in the technology industry: Microsoft had dominated personal-computer software for years, while Apple was gaining influence through integrated hardware, software, and digital services.
Apple’s market value continued to rise as the iPhone ecosystem expanded. The company’s model combined premium devices with an operating system and an expanding App Store, creating recurring relationships with customers and developers.
This milestone is distinct from Apple’s later status as the first company to close above $1 trillion or $2 trillion. It also does not mean Microsoft became unimportant; Microsoft remained a huge company and later returned to the top tier through cloud computing and enterprise software.