We're just hours away from the clock striking midnight on April 1, 2026, here in the United States — and when that happens, it will officially be Apple’s 50th anniversary. It’s a pretty historic milestone, and in those 50 years, Apple has left a massive mark on the world, especially in consumer technology.
What started with the original Apple Computer later brought countless other devices like the Macintosh, iPod, iPhone, iPad, AirPods, the full expansion of the Mac lineup, and even the Vision Pro — not to mention a polishing cloth — and a growing suite of services.
So, in true TechRadar fashion, we’re joining the celebration with a slate of content about Apple, its historic run, what the future might hold, and the gadgets that stand out most to us.
Apple is also preparing its own celebration at its main Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California, after kicking off the 50th anniversary at Apple Grand Central in NYC and countless other stores across the globe.
Apple Park is getting ready for big celebration
Apple, it seems, is saving the best and biggest for last, as just hours after hands-on with the AirPods Max 2 dropped, it seems that Apple Park is getting ready for a true party to celebrate the 50th Anniversary. Likely one that will start in the evening and continue into April 1, 2026.
Judging by a post on Reddit (r/apple), the Rainbow Stage is being put to good use in the center of Apple Park, and employees – including CEO Tim Cook and SVP of hardware John Ternus – will be treated to a performance by none other than Paul McCartney.
Paul live at Apple from r/PaulMcCartney
The festivities did kick off earlier in the day, though, as the NASDAQ brought the opening bell to Apple Park and let Apple CEO Tim Cook ring it, ultimately starting the 50th celebration very early in the morning California time.
Welcoming @apple [APPL] to the @NasdaqExchange Opening Bell in celebration of their 50th founding anniversary. #Apple50 pic.twitter.com/mdgmDLg58HMarch 31, 2026
Apple Park has some special displays
Apple Park is clearly getting in the spirit of the 50th anniversary as the team at Apple has set up some pretty neat displays around the campus, according to images shared on X (formerly Twitter).
First up is a real-life version of the 50th Anniversary Apple logo as a statue in a spot in the main ring building. It's the classic Apple colors mixing together as if drawn with an Apple Pencil on an iPad within the logo, and it looks pretty sizable.
Apple's 50th anniversary sculpture pic.twitter.com/SEhOUXloIQMarch 31, 2026
Elsewhere within Apple Park, there's a walk down Mac memory lane showing off the many versions of the iMac. It starts with the iMac G3 and works its way to the modern iMac with the M4 chip inside.
Apple 50th anniversary installation at the office featuring classic Mac lineup pic.twitter.com/bxX1y9yGdrMarch 31, 2026
And similarly, potentially closer to Cafe Mac, Apple has every iPhone on display from the original, first-generation to the most recent iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone Air.
It’s a beautiful day at Apple Park 🌈 pic.twitter.com/auwD3tzTzbMarch 31, 2026
Test your Apple knowledge
If you're keen to test your knowledge about Apple and the many, many devices and software it has shipped since its inception in 1976, look no further than TechRadar's Big Apple 50th anniversary quiz.
It was crafted and created by our Editor-in-Chief, Marc McLaren, and let us know how you do in the comments below.
Apple employees are scoring some free 50th gifts
Apple's no stranger to serving up some exclusive swag, usually in the form of pins or clothing, to its employees, and it's safe to say the 50th stuff is pretty sweet.
According to a post on X, Apple employees are receiving a poster, a t-shirt, and an epic enamel pin to commemorate the 50th Anniversary.
Apple 50th Anniversary employee gifts!🎁Each employee gets a 50th T-shirt, limited edition poster and enamel pin! pic.twitter.com/EpvT9no3YhMarch 31, 2026
