Compared with competitors, Apple's R&D investment and revenue in the past 10 years.

Apple's R&D investment and revenue have shown a general upward trend over the past decade, with some fluctuations. Here's a comparison with its competitors:

1. **Microsoft (MSFT)**:
- Microsoft's R&D investment has been consistently higher than Apple's, with the exception of 2014 and 2015, where the figures are not available.
- In 2023, Microsoft's R&D investment was $17.9 billion, significantly higher than Apple's $14.9 billion.
- Microsoft's total revenue has also been higher than Apple's, with a peak of $89.5 billion in 2023 compared to Apple's $86.31 billion for the same year.
2. **Amazon (AMZN)**:
- Amazon's R&D investment has varied, being lower than Apple's in 2014 and 2015 but then increasing to $29.33 billion in 2023.
- Amazon's total revenue has shown a more significant increase, reaching $169.96 billion in 2023, compared to Apple's $125.56 billion for the same year.
3. **Alphabet (GOOGL)**:
- Alphabet's R&D investment has been higher than Apple's since 2014, with a peak of $35.75 billion in 2023.
- Alphabet's total revenue has also been higher than Apple's, with a peak of $125.56 billion in 2023.
4. **Meta (META)**:
- Meta's R&D investment is not available for the past 10 years, making direct comparison with Apple challenging.
- However, it is known that Meta has invested heavily in virtual reality and other emerging technologies, which could indicate a significant commitment to R&D.

**Conclusion**: Apple's R&D investment and revenue have been substantial and have shown growth over the past decade. While it has been surpassed by its competitors in terms of R&D investment and revenue in some years, Apple's consistent performance and strong market presence suggest a robust competitive position. The fluctuations in R&D investment and revenue reflect the dynamic nature of the tech industry, where companies must continually innovate to maintain their market position.