Apple’s Antitrust Moment and What It Means for You

Apple has been under antitrust scrutiny for years, but the most recent antitrust cases focus on its App Store. Depending on the outcome of these cases, they could have a big impact for consumers.

Apple’s Business Practices Under Scrutiny

This year, a federal judge rebuked Apple (AAPL) for not complying to a ruling in an antitrust case from 2020.

Previously, Epic Games, the maker of Fortnite, had brought an antitrust lawsuit against the company, alleging that Apple was a monopoly because it required apps to use its payment system and pay a 30 percent fee for in-app purchases.The judge then ruled that Apple could no longer earn commissions on some app sales in its App Store.

Yet in 2025, that same judge found that Apple didn’t adhere to that ruling and discouraged alternative payment methods while continuing to collect commissions. The judge referred the case to federal prosectors.

Because of these rulings, App Store customers could be given more options for how to pay for purchases within apps.

There is also a possibility that the U.S. Department of Justice reduces the size of Apple, slashes developer fees, and brings more competition to the smartphone market. Such changes would have a big impact on the smartphone market, and additional competition would likely drive down prices, potentially lowering smartphone prices for consumers and incentivizing companies to bring new products to market.

The Bottom Line

Apple is under antitrust scrutiny for some of its business practices. If Apple loses these antitrust cases, the results may bring changes in the smartphone market, including greater competition and lower prices for consumers.