Zuckerberg slams Apple: 'Steve Jobs invented iPhone, now they're just sitting'

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, in an interview on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast, criticised Apple for its lack of innovation and restrictive business practices.

While acknowledging the iPhone's global impact, Zuckerberg argued that Apple has not introduced significant advancements since Steve Jobs' era.

"They have used that platform to put in place a lot of rules that I think feel arbitrary, and I feel like they haven’t really invented anything great in a while. It’s like Steve Jobs invented the iPhone, and now they’re just kind of sitting on it 20 years later," he said.

Zuckerberg accused Apple of relying on a revenue model that "squeezes people," citing the "30 percent tax on developers" and restrictions on third-party accessories.

Addressing Apple's privacy defense, he remarked, "It’s insecure because you didn’t build any security into it. And then now you’re using that as a justification for why only your product can connect in an easy way."

He further claimed Meta's profit could double if Apple dropped these "random rules."

Thoughts on Apple’s Vision Pro

Commenting on Apple's Vision Pro headset, Zuckerberg said, "The V1 definitely did not hit it out of the park," though he acknowledged that it might be "really good for watching movies."

He added, "I think the Vision Pro is one of the bigger swings at doing a new thing that they’ve tried in a while. And I don’t want to give them too hard of a time on it, because we do a lot of things where the first version isn’t that good, and you want to kind of judge the third version of it."

Zuckerberg's vision for Meta

As Meta continues to develop its own virtual reality products, including the Meta Quest headset, Zuckerberg’s comments highlight the competitive tensions between the two tech giants. His critique reflects broader industry frustration with Apple’s practices and raises questions about the future of innovation in consumer technology.