Apple Overhauls EU App Store Fees

Apple just rewrote the App Store playbook in Europe, unveiling a complex new fee structure to comply with the Digital Markets Act. Developers can now choose between Apple’s own payments (with a 26% cut to Apple), their own billing (20%), web links (15%), or distributing via third-party stores for a 5% “Core Technology Commission.” It looks like a concession, but the math still favors Apple, and the real test will be whether big players—especially game publishers—actually switch to these alternatives. If they do, Apple’s lucrative App Store revenue in the EU could fade faster than it appears on paper.

But here’s the catch: even as Apple faces regulatory pressure, hardware costs are rising. Memory prices are pushing the base iPhone 18 Pro up by $100, with higher storage tiers seeing even steeper jumps. Apple is betting that customers will swallow the hike, especially if iCloud and on-device AI features make more storage feel essential. Meanwhile, Bloomberg hints at a new Mac mini and a major Home push—think smart hub with a display and tighter integration across devices. The strategy is clear: defend margins by steering buyers to higher tiers and new services, even as competition and supply chain hiccups loom.

Based on reporting from Bloomberg, 9to5Mac, Yahoo Finance Singapore, Newser, NDTV Profit, The Next Web, Counterpoint, and more.

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