$Apple(AAPL.US)
Post 3 Episode 24
Context: What has become more interesting to me about Apple is how much of its AI strategy is being built into its own silicon. The new A20 Pro in the iPhone 18 Pro uses a 2nm process and delivers roughly double the AI processing capability of A19 Pro, while Apple is pushing the same direction with M6 across the Mac. Siri AI has now actually begun rolling out rather than remaining a future promise.
My trade: I therefore see Apple’s AI opportunity differently from the hyperscalers. Apple does not necessarily need to win the race for the largest foundation model. Its advantage may be controlling the chip, operating system, device and user experience together. If increasingly useful AI requires newer Apple silicon, intelligence itself could become another reason for users to upgrade their devices. That comes against an already strong backdrop: Apple’s latest quarter delivered a record $109.4 billion of revenue, up 16% YoY, while its active installed base reached another all-time high.
Takeaway: Apple may have arrived later to the headline AI race, but it is playing a different game. If AI becomes something people use continuously on their devices, owning the silicon, software and hardware together could turn intelligence into the next upgrade cycle — rather than simply another feature.
@Captain's Treasure




