Apple SWOT and PESTLE Analysis

Apple Inc. prototypes, produce, and sells smartphones, personal computers, tablets, wearables accessories, and retails a variety of associated services. As of Jan 2020, globally 1.5billion Apple products are in active use. Clearly, the core competencies of the company are customer loyalty and brand recall making Apple the world's most valuable brand and presenting the company with a competitive advantage over its peers. Apart from being the world's largest technology company and mobile manufacturer, Apple's iTunes stores are the world's largest music retailer. Thus, the SWOT tool assists to further discuss all the pertinent internal and external strategic factors, specifically the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats that predominate Apple's internal and external environment respectively.
The SWOT analysis helps to benchmark Apple's business and performance along with identifying its competitive stance in the IT industry. The SWOT report depicts all micro and macro factors and influencers that have a tremendous impact on Apple's business model, business, and marketing strategies.
Strong global network with 510 retail stores in 25 countries as of 2020, consistent technological innovations, online presence of Apple products, renowned for strong legacy and leadership abilities of the founder (Steve Jobs), high brand equity, exceptional margins, strong employee base, customer loyalty, strong R&D, etc. is a never-ending list of some of the greatest strengths of Apple Inc.
Despite the most sweeping strengths, some of Apple's inherent weaknesses like limited B2B market share compared to rivals, high dependency on the limited product line, Apple products' incompatibility with third-party software and accessories, etc. could be stumbling blocks for the smooth functioning of the company. Advancement in technology is always going to be a great source of opportunity for the IT industry. To leverage this opportunity, Apple is focusing on expanding its product line, acquiring AI and VR based companies, releasing its first Mac with Apple silicon (Apple's own silicon chips) by the end of 2020, and launch Apple cars in 2020.
Apple's products and services prevail in a highly competitive market thus the company confronts aggressive competition threats in all its business areas. Also, the rise of the Android ecosystem due to its ease, accessibility, cost-effective pricing model, and compatibility with third party soft wares and apps has led to huge demand amongst consumers. Thus, giving a tough time to Apple's IOS universe.
The SWOT analysis of Apple is presented below:

Strengths	Weaknesses
1. Consistently most valuable brand 2. Strong quality and performance 3. Well known for its focus on innovation and R&D 4. Attractive financial profile with consistently strong balance sheet. 5. Strong culture fostering diversity and inclusion 6. Good mix of distribution channels	1. Collective bargaining agreement for the services of trade employees 2. Uncertainty related to supply of components 3. Dependence on third-party digital content and software developers 4. Embroiled in multiple class action lawsuits 5. Major dependency on China as a market, and a critical supply base
Opportunities	Threats
1. Expanding to more countries to provide services 2. Adoption of Homegrown processor for MAC 3. Apple Arcade – the game subscription service to strengthen its ecosystem 4. Capitalizing on the growing global payments market through Apple Pay	1. Increasing competition across business environment 2. Performance dependent on carriers, wholesalers, retailers, and other resellers 3. Impact of COVID 19 on business and sales 4. "Zero-click" spyware that could infect iPhones and iPads 5. Struggling with supply chain issues due to severe semiconductor shortage

Detailed SWOT Analysis of Apple

The global IT industry is deeply governed by the following technological factors that are trending in 2021,

Artificial intelligence, Robotics, AR&VR, IoT, Edge Computing, Blockchain, etc. are trending technologies

Increasing Demand for speed networks(5G Network) and autonomous devices

Customers necessitating for sustainable products and services

The desire for personalization creating a tremendous demand for products and services that adapt to changing preferences of users

Accordingly, the PESTLE analysis is utilized to manifests a discussion on more such trends, factors, and external influencers particularly political, economic, social, technological, legal, and environmental, their consequence on the IT industry and extensively on Apple Inc.
The PESTLE / STEEPL / PEST analysis report is a structure to explore the outcome of external factors on the macro-environment that influences the business of Apple. The PESTLE analysis is a useful technique to study the impact of influencers on Apple's business model, business case study, market strategy, and growth trajectory. The technology industry is subjected to acute media, political, and regulatory scrutiny. Thus, companies operating in this industry are mostly exposed to government investigations, legal actions, and penalties. Geopolitical uncertainty, trade wars, intellectual property claims, third party licensing, data security, antitrust, etc. are few amongst various political and legal factors that profoundly influence Apple's business and its global operations. Besides, the unprecedented measures taken up by government and businesses to combat against COVID-19 has significantly left an unfavorable impact on Apple’s business, outcomes of operations, economic condition, and stock price.
The world's largest technology company, Apple has a history of channeling innovation to address global challenges. Thus, to retaliate the existing threats of environmental degradation, Apple is utilizing its best technologies to reduce its carbon footprints by designing the world's most innovative products from recycled materials. The company claims that by 2030 all of its products will be carbon-neutral. Additionally, Apple’s stores, offices, and data centers are powered by 100% renewable electricity.
The PESTLE / STEEPL / PEST analysis for Apple Inc is presented below in a table followed by the detailed analysis report.

Political	Economical
1. Impact of political tensions such as trade disputes with China 2. Frequent changes and restrictions regarding employment visas impacting workforce	1. Worsening global economic conditions would affect the company’s business. 2. Impact of fluctuating foreign exchange rate
Social	Technological
1. Perceived as world’s most valuable brand. 2. Strong use of consumer behaviour marketing to gain profit 3. Creating new opportunities for careers in the iOS app economy	1. Technologically designed best tools for individuals and business 2. Constant focus on innovation and advanced technologies
Legal	Environmental
1. Subjected to rules and regulations across countries owing to global operation. 2. Compliance with laws related to consumer information. 3. Fluctuations in tax obligations	1. Focused on recycling and reusing 2. Initiatives towards climate change and carbon footprint. 3. Inventing ways to replace harmful substances with eco-friendly ones and use renewable materials.

Detailed Pestle Analysis of Apple

The Amazon SWOT and PESTLE Analysis report will offer the following:

• The SWOT and PESTLE reports of Apple Inc presents a comprehensive analysis of the internal and external strategic factors and their impact on the company's brand, operations, business model, market approach, and growth trajectory.
• The SWOT report substantiates complete and extensive internal and external analysis of the company detailing Apple's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.
• The SWOT report also presents intelligence on the core competitive advantages of Apple that it enjoys over its competitors and adversaries
• Review of Apple's USP or unique selling proposition, mission statement, and vision statement.
• Obtain Apple's business case study in detail and a glance at its marketing and business strategy
• The PESTLE analysis of the technology Industry highlights the current trends and factors that could be opportunities or threats to the entire industry and largely Apple Inc.
• The PESTLE/ PESTEL/ STEEPL Analysis of Apple includes an in-depth analysis of all external factors specifically, political, economic, social, technological, legal, and environmental
• Insightful information on Apple's business diversification, deriving its key business segments and highlighting its major adversaries
• A comprehensive company analysis to obtain perspicacity into company information, company profile, business model, business plans, and marketing strategy. With a peek into the Apple's key performance indicators, core values, success factors, value proposition, and core competencies.
• Gain knowledge of specific partnerships, mergers, and acquisitions, and compelling initiatives Apple has undertaken to achieve its synergies and business goals.