Apple Inc. (AAPL) vs QUALCOMM Incorporated (QCOM)
QCOM leads on 10 of 17 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of Apple Inc. and QUALCOMM Incorporated across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 14, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
Total return — AAPL vs QCOM
growth of $100 · last 30yAAPL +136113.9%QCOM +7028.6%AAPL compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
AAPL QCOM
AAPL vs QCOM: by the numbers
- •AAPL is the larger company ($4.28T vs $223.15B market cap).
- •QCOM trades at the lower earnings multiple (22.72 vs 35.20 P/E).
- •AAPL converts more revenue to profit (27.15% vs 22.31% net margin).
- •QCOM grew revenue faster over the past five years (8.63% vs 6.76% CAGR).
- •QCOM pays the higher dividend yield (1.70% vs 0.36%).
Which is better, AAPL or QCOM?
Metric tally: AAPL 7 · QCOM 10It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueQCOM(lower P/E)
GrowthQCOM(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeQCOM(higher dividend yield)
QualityAAPL(higher ROIC)
Valuation
| Metric | AAPL | QCOM |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 35.20 | 22.72● |
| Forward P/E | 30.21 | 19.72● |
| P/S ratio | 9.52 | 5.10● |
| P/B ratio | 40.37 | 8.32● |
| PEG ratio | 1.51● | 3.96 |
| EV / EBITDA | 27.12 | 16.71● |
| FCF yield | 3.00% | 5.51%● |
Profitability
| Metric | AAPL | QCOM |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 47.86% | 54.80%● |
| Operating margin | 32.64%● | 25.52% |
| Net margin | 27.15%● | 22.31% |
| ROE | 115.10%● | 36.38% |
| ROIC | 51.97%● | 13.15% |
Dividends
| Metric | AAPL | QCOM |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.36% | 1.70%● |
| Payout ratio | 14.02% | 70.95% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | AAPL | QCOM |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 6.76% | 8.63%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 17.73%● | 5.74% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 7.38% | 9.39%● |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 18.58%● | 11.87% |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, AAPL or QCOM?
- It depends on your goal. value: QCOM (lower P/E); growth: QCOM (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: QCOM (higher dividend yield); quality: AAPL (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, QCOM leads 10 to 7.
- Is AAPL or QCOM cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, QCOM is cheaper: AAPL trades at a 35.20 P/E and QCOM at 22.72.
- Which has grown faster, AAPL or QCOM?
- Over the past five years, QCOM grew revenue faster — AAPL at a 6.76% CAGR versus QCOM at 8.63%.
- Does AAPL or QCOM pay a bigger dividend?
- AAPL yields 0.36% and QCOM yields 1.70% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is AAPL or QCOM more profitable?
- AAPL runs the higher net margin — AAPL at 27.15% versus QCOM at 22.31%.
- Which has been the better investment, AAPL or QCOM?
- Over the past 10-year, AAPL delivered the higher annualized total return — AAPL at 29.17% versus QCOM at 17.83%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Apple P/E ratioQUALCOMM P/E ratioApple dividend yieldQUALCOMM dividend yieldApple ROEQUALCOMM ROEApple operating marginQUALCOMM operating marginApple revenue growthQUALCOMM revenue growthApple free cash flowQUALCOMM free cash flow
Apple & QUALCOMM appear in these rankings
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Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified June 14, 2026.