• Forums
  • Shop
  • iPhone 13
  • AirPods Deals
  • iPad Deals
  • Best Apple Watch
  1. Home
  2. /
  3. News
OMG PHIL

Phil Schiller reveals $50 million price tag for WWDC, $18 billion for R&D

Phil Schiller is talking about all of the things.
Joe Wituschek
17 May 2021

Apple Wwdc21 Newsroom Article TileSource: Apple

What you need to know

  • Phil Schiller revealed that Apple spends around $50 million on WWDC every year.
  • He also says Apple spent about $18 billion on research and development last year.

Running WWDC apparently costs Apple $50 million.

As reported by 9to5Mac, Apple Fellow Phil Schiller testified at the Epic v. Apple trial earlier today and, during his testimony, revealed how much it costs Apple to throw its yearly developer conference. According to Schiller, Apple's Worldwide Developer Conference costs the company at least $50 million a year.

During his testimony, Schiller revealed that it costs Apple around $50 million each year to put on its Worldwide Developer Conference. This likely refers to the in-person version of WWDC rather than the digital version.

This cost is significant per a Protocol report, as Epic has been trying to argue that Apple makes a ton of money off of the App Store. However, Apple points out that Epic's case does not take into consideration costs like WWDC.

Epic has argued the high profitability of the App Store is one of the reasons why Apple continues to demand 30% of digital transactions and that Apple fails to justify that commission rate through its claims of providing security, privacy, App Store review, and other operating costs. Apple has argued it does not have calculate the profitability of the App Store as an individual unit and that any attempts to do so would be misleading as they do not take into account the amount of money Apple invests in the iOS ecosystem, such as research and development costs and the money it spends on events like WWDC.

Schiller also revealed that Apple was working on a dedicated developer facility at Apple Park that would allow developers to visit the campus and work on apps with Apple engineers like they do at WWDC. It appears that the facility would make that kind of opportunity more consistent.

In a similar vein, Schiller revealed during his testimony that Apple is building a dedicated developer facility at Apple Park. Here, developers will be able to work directly with Apple engineers on their applications and receive support and help. No further details were provided on this developer center, though.

Schiller also revealed how much Apple spends on research and development. According to the executive, the company spent $18 billion on R&D last year alone.

Oh my god. Schiller is asked how much Apple spends on R&D.

He says from 2005 to 2020 Apple spent $100 billion.

Just last year alone Apple spent $18 billion.

— Nick Statt (@nickstatt) May 17, 2021
Phenomenal iOS 16 concept has all of the features you've been dreaming of
Yes please

Phenomenal iOS 16 concept has all of the features you've been dreaming of

With Apple keeping its iOS 16 plans close to its chest, we already know that we'll be very happy indeed if it turns out to be anything like this new concept.

Review: SANDMARC's Macro Lens easily beats the native iPhone macro mode
Advanced iPhone photography

Review: SANDMARC's Macro Lens easily beats the native iPhone macro mode

While the iPhone 13 Pro is capable of Macro mode photography, it is far from perfect. With SANDMARC's 25mm Macro Lens, you can get even better macro photos with your iPhone 13 Pro, or even with older iPhones.

Woman's lost Apple Watch costs her $40K in fraudulent Apple Pay charges
Priority Passcode

Woman's lost Apple Watch costs her $40K in fraudulent Apple Pay charges

A woman who says she dropped and lost her Apple Watch at the EPCOT Center has now filed a police report saying that she is on the hook for $40,000 in fraudulent credit card charges as a result.

Even the iPhone 13 Pro Max can be cute with the right case
Big and beautiful

Even the iPhone 13 Pro Max can be cute with the right case

You've got Apple's flagship iPhone and boy, is it gorgeous with that huge screen. You can make it cute all over with one of these cases.

Keep in Touch

Sign up now to get the latest news, deals & more from iMore!

I would like to receive news and offers from other Future brands.

I would like to receive mail from Future partners.

No spam, we promise. You can unsubscribe at any time and we'll never share your details without your permission.

  • News
  • Apple Talk (General)
Joe Wituschek

Joe Wituschek

Joe Wituschek has been in the technology industry for over a decade. Formerly Apple, Joe now covers the company as a news writer for iMore. Connect with Joe on Twitter @joewituschek.

  • iPhone
  • iPad
  • Apple Watch
  • Mac
  • Apple TV
  • Reviews
  • How To
  • HomeKit
  • Forums

Other Categories

  • About Us
  • Newsletter
  • Fitness
  • Apps
  • Gaming
  • Deals
  • Advertising Inquiries
  • Licensing and Reprints
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Android Central
  • Windows Central
  • Thrifter
  • TechnoBuffalo
  • MrMobile
Log in or Sign up
  • t
  • f
  • y
  • i
  • r

Brightness

  • © Future US, Inc.
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Licensing
  • External Links Disclosure
  • Accessibility Statement
  • © Future US, Inc.
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Licensing
  • External Links Disclosure
  • Accessibility Statement