Companies like Apple work on patents all the time. Sometimes these patents serve as a precursor to upcoming features in future products. Sometimes it’s about protecting an idea. License it out to other companies. Or chase frivolous lawsuits . But has Apple been slowing down in that department? According to a recent report, Apple patents filed in the US in 2025 have fallen .
Apple patents in the US see a decline in 2025
This information comes from patent data and analytics company IFI CLAIMS . According to the company’s findings, Apple and LG are the only two companies in the US whose patents have declined in 2025 compared to the previous year. In fact, Apple was actually in the top five companies in the US for patents. However, with its drop in patent filings, the company slipped to 7th place.
Based on the data, the number of patent grants Apple received in 2025 is 2,722. This is compared to the 3,082 patents it was granted back in 2024. But what does that mean? Is Apple slowing down on innovation? That might not necessarily be the case.
IFI CLAIMS cites IBM as an example. For its 2025 rankings, IBM dropped to 11th place. This is actually the first time in more than three decades that IBM has fallen out of the top 10. However, IFI CLAIMS does not believe that the decline in patent grants indicates a lack of invention. Instead, IBM adopted a different strategy where it chooses to focus on a few key areas, rather than racking up the greatest number of patents.
We can’t speak for Apple, but as the company notes, a decline in grants might not necessarily mean Apple is slowing down on innovation or inventions.
Apple still has a lot of products in the pipeline
While Apple’s patent grants might have fallen, the company still has a lot of new products up its sleeve that are more than just a revision of its portfolio. For starters, later this year, Apple is expected to introduce its first-ever foldable iPhone . But the company isn’t stopping there either. There are rumors claiming that Apple could also be working on a foldable iPad.
Let’s not forget that Apple is still very much interested in the wearables space. The company is rumored to follow up on the Vision Pro with a newer and lighter model. There are also talks about smart glasses. These are just some of the new and exciting products Apple is rumored to be working on. So, if you’re an Apple fan, don’t take this decline in patent grants to heart.
