Apple is granting RSUs worth up to Rs 3.76 crore, tied to a four-year vesting period for retention.
Over 40 former Apple employees have reportedly joined OpenAI’s hardware division, intensifying the talent war.
The move comes as Apple ramps up its AI ambitions, including a reported Google Gemini integration for Siri.
Apple has reportedly rolled out big stock-based bonuses for members of its iPhone product design team as it wants to retain key talent amid increasing competition from rivals like OpenAI. As per a report by Bloomberg, the company has granted restricted stock units (RSUs) worth several hundred thousand dollars to select employees, with payouts linked to long-term retention.
SurveyThe stock awards, estimated to range between $200,000 and $400,000 (roughly Rs 1.88 crore to Rs 3.76 crore), will vest over a four-year period. This means employees must remain in the company to fully benefit from the incentives, effectively tying compensation to retention.
The move comes as Apple faces growing concerns about talent attrition, particularly from OpenAI, which has been actively recruiting experienced engineers and designers. According to reports, more than 40 former Apple employees have joined OpenAI’s hardware-focused initiatives, including senior figures who worked on products such as the iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and Vision Pro. Notably, former Apple design chief Jony Ive is also linked to OpenAI’s hardware ambitions.
Also read: Google introduces Gemini 3.1 Flash Live AI model: Check features and availability
This is not the first time Apple has offered financial incentives to retain employees. Similar stock-based incentives were reportedly offered in 2021 and 2022 across multiple divisions, including silicon engineering, software, and operations, during a time of increased competition for skilled professionals.
This comes as reports suggest that Apple is working on a variety of AI-powered products, including smart home devices, robotics, and advanced wearables, as well as exploring deeper integration of AI into its ecosystem.
Apple recently announced a collaboration with Google to integrate Gemini models into Siri, transforming it into a more advanced conversational platform. It is expected to debut alongside iOS 27 and possibly with the iPhone 18 Pro series.
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Ashish Singh
Ashish Singh is the Chief Copy Editor at Digit. He's been wrangling tech jargon since 2020 (Times Internet, Jagran English '22). When not policing commas, he's likely fueling his gadget habit with coffee, strategising his next virtual race, or plotting a road trip to test the latest in-car tech. He speaks fluent Geek. View Full Profile
