Apple gave its employees underwhelming 50th anniversary gift bags containing only a t-shirt, pin, and poster, while China accidentally launched Apple Intelligence before regulators approved it, and NASA used iPhone 17 Pro Max units as cameras on the Artemis II moon mission. Apple's anniversary celebration included a Paul McCartney concert at Apple Park but cheap swag disappointed employees. Apple Intelligence briefly appeared in China's iOS 26.5 beta before regulators pulled it, delaying public access.

NASA's Artemis II astronauts used iPhone 17 Pro Max units as cameras for public relations, not scientific work, boosting the Shot on iPhone campaign.