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Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has publicly criticized Apple for its perceived stagnation in innovation and willingness to impose strict policies during an appearance on the “Joe Rogan Experience” podcast.

During the interview, Zuckerberg discussed various topics, including the iPhone, Apple’s corporate conduct, and its newest offerings, like the Vision Pro headset.

He noted that the incremental changes in new iPhone models have prompted many users to hold off on upgrading.

Meta’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg has recently expressed his critical views on Apple’s innovation trajectory and its restrictive business practices. In a candid conversation on the “Joe Rogan Experience” podcast, Zuckerberg delved into various subjects, including the evolution of the iPhone, Apple’s corporate strategies, and its latest product, the Vision Pro headset.

When discussing the iPhone’s impact on the world, Zuckerberg acknowledged its significance, saying, “On the one hand, [the iPhone has] been great, because now pretty much everyone in the world has a phone, and that’s kind of what enables pretty amazing things.” However, he went on to critique Apple for failing to deliver substantial innovation in recent years. “It’s like Steve Jobs invented the iPhone, and now they’re just kind of sitting on it 20 years later,” he remarked, emphasizing what he perceives as a lack of forward momentum.

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In addition, Zuckerberg pointed out that Apple’s recent iterations of the iPhone predominantly feature minor enhancements. This situation has led consumers to postpone their upgrade decisions, thereby impacting overall sales. He posited that Apple’s revenue-generating strategies seem to increasingly rely on methods outside of launching truly innovative devices. “So how are they making more money as a company? Well, they do it by basically, like, squeezing people,” he noted. He criticized the company’s hefty 30 percent commission imposed on app developers while also highlighting a shift in focus towards selling accessories, such as AirPods, to bolster profits.

Apple frequently defends its business model by citing user privacy and security as key priorities. Nevertheless, Zuckerberg countered that there are avenues for Apple to enhance security measures without excluding third-party products from connecting to their devices. “It’s insecure because you didn’t build any security into it. And then now you’re using that as a justification for why only your product can connect in an easy way,” he argued, drawing attention to the possible shortcomings in Apple’s approach to connectivity.

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Zuckerberg asserted that if Apple were to eliminate its “random rules,” Meta’s profitability could potentially double. He also commented on Apple’s Vision Pro headset, which has reportedly seen disappointing sales figures in the United States. “I think the Vision Pro is one of the bigger swings at doing a new thing that they tried in a while,” he admitted. “And I don’t want to give them too hard of a time on it because we do a lot of things where the first version isn’t that good, and you want to kind of judge the third version of it. But I mean, the V1, it definitely did not hit it out of the park.”

Zuckerberg’s statements underscore the ongoing rivalry and tension between Meta and Apple, both tech behemoths vying for dominance in the fields of virtual reality and app ecosystems.