Apple closed 2025 with fewer patents granted in the United States than several of its major tech rivals and silicon industry players. According to the annual IFI CLAIMS report, the Cupertino company ranked sixth among U.S. patent recipients, with 2,722 grants, down from 3,082 in the previous year, representing an 11.7% year-over-year decline and falling two spots in the ranking.
The data is striking on its own, but it becomes even more relevant in a context where the tech market is being reshaped around artificial intelligence and the infrastructure that enables it. IFI summarizes 2025 as a year marked by the corporate “race” to invest in AI, with economic and geopolitical implications that are no longer considered marginal.
A ranking where the leadership stays stable, but the gaps widen
At the top of the ranking, the order remained stable: Samsung repeated as number one for the fourth consecutive year with 7,054 patents, an 11% increase over 2024. TSMC was second with 4,194 (+5%), and Qualcomm ranked third with 3,749 (slightly up).
Behind them, the “top 10” showed interesting movements and, above all, a clear picture: the influence of the semiconductor, communications, and connected device ecosystem remains crucial in the intellectual property registered in the U.S. Among those surpassing Apple in 2025 are Huawei (3,052) and Samsung Display (2,859), alongside the three already mentioned leaders.
However, Apple’s decline should be viewed in perspective: the number of patents is an imperfect measure of innovation. It can reflect shifts in focus, product cycles, legal decisions, or simply a different protection strategy (for example, prioritizing trade secrets in areas where time to market outweighs patenting).
The context: fewer grants and fewer applications, but a significant “queue”
The IFI report also provides a macro perspective that helps contextualize any individual drop: in 2025, the USPTO granted a total of 323,272 patents (a decline of 0.24% from 2024) and received 393,344 applications, a decrease of 9% from the previous year.
In other words, the “pie” did not grow. Moreover, the system itself faces friction. IFI notes that more than 1.2 million applications are in the USPTO’s backlog, with an average pendency of around 26.5 months, despite hiring efforts.
In this environment, volume fluctuations in a company don’t necessarily indicate “less R&D”—they may result from processing speeds, internal prioritization, or rebalancing what is patented and where.
Patents: quantity does not equal quality (and the ranking acknowledges this)
The report makes an interesting point about IBM: although the company’s rankings and volume have fallen, IFI emphasizes that these numbers “do not necessarily” portray a less innovative company but may reflect a deliberate strategic focus on specific areas.
This serves as a reminder not to interpret the ranking as a simplistic success metric. Industries such as pharmaceuticals, hardware, and telecom often see patenting as an integral part of their competitive DNA. Others may value fewer, more targeted patents. Still, in many sectors, competitive advantage often depends on execution, data, vertical integration, or speed of iteration rather than patent counts.
What does Apple’s retreat (and what it doesn’t) indicate?
The 2025 ranking shows that Apple lost relative momentum in U.S. patent activity compared to a group of direct competitors and partners in the chip industry. It acts as a marker of industrial property activity in a crucial market—U.S.—for monetizing technology and securing legal defenses.
However, it does not automatically mean that Apple is “innovating less.” Not all innovation is patented, and not all patents have equal value. Yet, in a cycle where the industry is heavily investing in AI, specialized silicon, memory, and networks, trailing behind major players dominating these foundational “layers” raises a reasonable question: Is Apple prioritizing alternative forms of protection and development, or is this just a statistical blip in their patent pipeline?
The answer is likely complex. But the data opens the door for debate, especially as the coming years will be shaped by who controls the technological foundations enabling large-scale AI deployment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Apple’s fewer patents in 2025 mean it’s innovating less?
Not necessarily. The number of granted patents is just one metric. It can change based on strategy (what is patented and where), USPTO processing times, or prioritizing trade secrets in certain areas.
Who led the U.S. patent ranking in 2025, and with how many patents?
Samsung ranked first with 7,054 patents, followed by TSMC (4,194) and Qualcomm (3,749).
How many patents were granted in the U.S. overall in 2025?
The USPTO granted 323,272 patents and received 393,344 applications, according to IFI CLAIMS.
Why did patent applications decline despite AI’s boom?
The report indicates applications decreased by 9% year-over-year, but also highlights a large backlog of pending applications and high average pendency, suggesting friction and accumulation in the system, along with strategic decisions by companies.