Computed head-to-head · 6 dimensions
AAPL vs INTC
Apple Inc. versus Intel Corporation — yield, safety, growth trend, cost, scale, and tax treatment.
AAPL wins 4–1 on our six-dimension comparison, but INTC can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
AAPL or INTC — which is better?
AAPL wins this comparison 4–1 across 6 dimensions. AAPL yields 0.31% — higher than INTC's 0.00% — and carries a 8.8/10 dividend safety score (Strong) vs 5.0/10 for INTC (Mixed). AAPL wins 4–1 on our six-dimension comparison, but INTC can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
On dividend safety, AAPL scores 8.8/10 (Strong) vs 5.0/10 (Mixed) for INTC — AAPL has a stronger composite of payout coverage, yield zone, and dividend trend signals.
Scorecard at a glance
| Dimension | AAPL | INTC | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yield | 0.31% | 0.00% | AAPL wins |
| Dividend safety | 8.8/10 | 5.0/10 | AAPL wins |
| Growth trend | -0.16% vs 5y | -2.69% vs 5y | INTC wins |
| Volatility (beta) | 1.07 | 2.19 | AAPL wins |
| Scale | $5.0T | $455.0B | AAPL wins |
| Tax efficiency | Qualified-eligible | Qualified-eligible | Tie |
| Overall | 4 wins | 1 wins | AAPL wins |
Dimension by dimension
AAPL wins on yield (0.31% vs 0.00%)
On a $10,000 investment that's about $31 more in annual dividend income before taxes — though higher yield often comes with higher risk.
AAPL's higher yield (0.31%) looks attractive but investors should weigh whether the extra income compensates for any additional risk versus INTC's 0.00% — especially if the higher yield is driven by covered calls or a falling share price.
AAPL wins on safety (8.8/10 vs 5.0/10)
Our score combines yield zone, payout ratio, trend vs 5-year average, instrument type, and size. AAPL scores better on the weighted average of those factors.
AAPL (8.8/10) scores 3.8 points higher than INTC (5.0/10). A higher safety score means lower historical indicators of dividend cut risk — payout ratio, yield zone, and trend all factor in.
INTC shows healthier dividend-vs-price trend
INTC's yield is 2.69% below its 5y average, versus 0.16% for AAPL. Lower (or below-average) yield trend often means price appreciation outpaced distributions — a healthier signal.
AAPL is less volatile (beta 1.07 vs 2.19)
Lower beta means smaller swings vs the S&P 500 — generally a steadier hold for income investors.
AAPL is 11.0× larger by market cap
Larger companies tend to have tighter spreads, deeper liquidity, and lower closure risk.
Both pay qualified-dividend-eligible distributions
Neither is structurally flagged for ordinary-income tax treatment. Most distributions should qualify for the lower long-term capital gains rate if holding-period requirements are met.
Full breakdown per ticker: are AAPL dividends qualified and are INTC dividends qualified — each with the after-tax income at every federal bracket.
How we compare these
Every comparison on this page is computed from current public data, not written by hand. Yield comes from the most recent dividend distribution annualized over current price. Safety scores combine yield zone, payout ratio, trend vs 5-year average, instrument type, and size — see our methodology for the exact formula. Tax-efficiency flags identify covered-call ETFs, REITs, and mREITs which distribute primarily as ordinary income.
This is educational, not investment advice. Scores reflect a snapshot of public data on the "as of" dates shown on each ticker's safety page. Verify on the issuer's investor relations page or your brokerage before making decisions.
Frequently asked
AAPL or INTC — which is better?
AAPL is better on our scoring, winning 4–1 across six dimensions: yield, dividend safety, growth, cost, scale, and tax treatment. AAPL wins 4–1 on our six-dimension comparison, but INTC can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
Which is better for income, AAPL or INTC?
AAPL wins 4–1 on our six-dimension comparison, but INTC can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
AAPL vs INTC: which has a higher dividend yield?
AAPL yields 0.31% and INTC yields 0.00%. On a $10,000 investment that's about $31 more in annual dividend income before taxes — though higher yield often comes with higher risk.
Is AAPL or INTC a safer dividend in 2026?
AAPL scores 8.8/10 (Strong) on the Infnits dividend safety scale. INTC scores 5.0/10 (Mixed). AAPL is the safer pick on our scoring model.
Which has better dividend growth, AAPL or INTC?
INTC's yield is 2.69% below its 5y average, versus 0.16% for AAPL. Lower (or below-average) yield trend often means price appreciation outpaced distributions — a healthier signal.
AAPL vs INTC: which is more tax-efficient?
Neither is structurally flagged for ordinary-income tax treatment. Most distributions should qualify for the lower long-term capital gains rate if holding-period requirements are met.
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Compare both against your actual holdings
Put AAPL and INTC into the free analyzer with the rest of your portfolio. You'll see what each one contributes to your annual income, your weighted safety score, and whether adding AAPL diversifies you or just duplicates what you hold. No account, no download.