I've read elsewhere that Apple also started fronting the capital for the plant investment required to build the components they need, in return for very favoura

I've read elsewhere that Apple also started fronting the capital for the plant investment required to build the components they need, in return for very favourable lock-in agreements ("We will always be able to buy your product at 10% less than anyone else." That kind of thing.) In short, Apple is thinking big & thinking long term all the time & they are reaping the benefits. Even if you don't like the products (and I personally find the whole walled garden thing somewhat creepy) you have to recognise that their strategic thinking is what's lead them to this dominant position in terms of profits. (There's also the taking advantage of something approximating slave labour in China thing of course, but sadly that's hardly limited to Apple: like everything else they just seem to be better at it than anyone else is.)