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Apple's iOS 26 is expected to have a radical redesign, and it's probably going to mark the beginning of an entirely new numbering system. Here's everything that's rumored to be in the update.

Apple may introduce iOS 26 rather than iOS 19 at WWDC.

While the iOS 18 update focused largely on Apple Intelligence features, such as Image Playground, email summarization, and a new Clean Up tool in the Photos app, its successor is expected to take a noticeably different approach.

Rather than simply being an iterative upgrade, with a few new apps and capabilities added to the mix, the next generation of iOS might introduce a major visual overhaul. An entirely new version numbering system appears to be in the works as well.

Leakers, analysts, and even YouTubers have all chimed in with specific claims about the upcoming iPhone operating system over the past few months. Here's what they've claimed so far.

iOS 26 instead of iOS 19?

According to a report from May 2025, Apple wants to make a significant change to how it numbers its operating system versions. The goal of the apparent endeavor is to simplify things and make it easier for users to know how recent their currently installed operating system really is.

Rather than having separate version numbers for iOS, macOS, and visionOS, which would be iOS 19, macOS 16, and vision OS 3, respectively, Apple will use just one version number for all of its platforms. The iPhone maker plans to implement an approach similar to that used by automakers, where the software version corresponds to a particular year.

Given that the new iOS update is expected to become available to the general public in September 2025, Apple has seemingly decided to name brand its operating systems as version "26." This means that instead of iOS 19, we might see iOS 26, macOS 26, and so on. This is effectively what Microsoft did during the 1990s with Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows 2000.

Though the rumor itself seems far-fetched at first glance, AppleInsider was able to independently confirm the existence of Apple's "26" version branding. People familiar with the matter have revealed the change is already visible within certain parts of Apple's next-gen operating systems.

However, it appears as though Apple may be trying to hide the new numbering system with placeholder names such as iOS 19 and macOS 16, which have appeared alongside the version 26 branding.

This information was obtained by AppleInsider from people familiar with Apple's next-gen operating systems. We also received details seemingly derived from a development-fused iPhone running an early build of "iOS 19."

Design changes -- iOS 26 may echo visionOS

In February 2024, rumors of a planned user interface change for Apple's operating systems surfaced. At the time, it was expected that a new design would debut in either 2025 or 2026, but that it would not bear a significant resemblance to visionOS.

iOS 26 could feature a radically different user interface.

The same year, two separate reports suggested that a visionOS-style redesign would arrive with iOS 18. While these claims ultimately turned out to be incorrect, given that such a design change never materialized, a redesign might happen in 2025.

Two reports from a generally reliable source, in March 2025, said that Apple was working on a massive visual alteration with its next-gen operating systems. The claim was later reiterated in a May 2025 report, which added that "Solarium" was the project codename of the UI overhaul.

That interface change may even be referred to as "Liquid Glass,"

The key point of the move is to appeal to existing users, while still attracting new users down the road. The design change won't be just about aesthetics, however, as rumors suggest the new UI is intended to make iOS faster to navigate, easier to learn, and simpler overall to use.

The approach is said to focus on consistency and unification. This ultimately means that users may experience similar interfaces, UI elements, and maybe even features when they use the same functions across different Apple devices and operating systems. We've even seen rumors about specific apps within the next generation of iOS.

The changes may not be limited to just iOS itself. On June 3, a report claimed that CarPlay could inherit some of the visionOS-inspired UI changes.

Sketchy app mockups caused a stir between leakers

In January 2025, YouTuber Jon Prosser posted a video detailing some of the changes allegedly planned for the Camera app. He claimed he had seen the user interface of iOS 19, as it was largely known at the time. Prosser's team supposedly "recreated" what they saw as the Camera application.

iOS 26 may feature rounded app icons, according to an April 2025 leak.

The YouTuber then resurfaced in March 2025, with additional claims of UI changes across the operating system. With a more well-rounded appearance, the interface was described as more "fluid," with condensed settings that reveal themselves as you swipe away.

The mockups mainly suggested that simple light-reflective circles would be added to buttons, along with an elongated modal window UI, and that there would be mild stylistic cues or references to Apple's Sports and Invites apps.

Looking back at the earlier Camera app leak, there are some similarities, but odd differences to visionOS. The Camera app screenshot shows something much closer to Apple Vision Pro's UI, but lacks the light reflections on button edges.

There has subsequently been a further claim that the Camera app will be revised -- and more substantially than most of the rest of iOS. Specifically, the Camera app along with the Phone and Safari ones will have more streamlined functionality and better usability.

Prosser claims engineers at Apple don't fully understand how he had access to finished images, which serves as an indication of his confidence. There is plenty of room for doubt, however, as the YouTuber has a less-than-stellar track record.

The Camera app may get a new look with iOS 26.

Despite his initial success, being the first person to leak the AirTag design, many of Jon Prosser's more recent claims have outright failed to materialize. For instance, he spoke of a rumored iPhone 4-style redesign for the iPhone 14, an Apple Watch with flat edges, and Steve Jobs edition Apple smart glasses, none of which ended up becoming a reality.

As for his iOS 19 mockups, another leaker dismissed them in March 2025, saying they were based on outdated on incomplete information. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said the images weren't representative of reality. He added that they were likely "based on either very old builds or vague descriptions, missing key features."

Prosser then shared another video in April 2025, which featured noticeably different Home Screen app icons. The YouTuber showed a more-rounded squircle that's still not quite a circle. The video suggests apps with tabs will get more animations, and floating bars dubbed TabView. These mimic floating UI elements already present in iOS, but have lively animations like the Dynamic Island.

The April 2025 video also showed off a new search UI in iMessage that wasn't featured in the original iOS 19 Camera leak. It is simply a floating pill-shaped button that sits at the bottom of the app. The supposed leak may have shown possible new icon shapes, but it really wasn't much in addition to what was shown before. It likely means Prosser will continue to push back against Gurman and attempt to find something more significant to share.

Mockups are all the rage these days, as we also received a particularly dubious tip in January 2025 that said the Clock app would receive UI changes. We'll have to wait and see what Apple unveils during WWDC in any case.

But one leak concerning apps on iOS, and iPadOS 26, came up at just about the last minute -- and was the first to claim there would actually be a brand-new app to these platforms. It's now rumored that Preview, the very long-standing Mac app, will come to the iPhone and the iPad.

iOS 26 -- Supported device rumors

With each update to an operating system, most of the time, some devices get left behind and can't upgrade. This could be due to technical limitations or simply the lack of support for aging hardware.

The 2018 iPhone XS may not support iOS 26.

When it comes to iOS 26, previously referred to as iOS 19, a rumor claimed in December 2024 that support will continue to be extremely broad for the operating system.

The full list of alleged compatible iPhone models is:

• iPhone 17, 17 Air, 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max (2025)


• iPhone 16e, iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max (2024)


• iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max (2023)


• iPhone 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro, 14 Pro Max, iPhone SE (3rd gen) (2022)


• iPhone 13, 13 Mini, 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max (2021)


• iPhone 12, 12 Mini, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max, iPhone SE (2nd gen) (2020)


• iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max (2019)


• iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR (2018)*

This list seemingly indicates that iOS 19 will be available on all devices that ran iOS 18. However, the venue that published the compatibility list isn't always accurate, and an April 2025 rumor suggested that Apple would discontinue support for the iPhone XS and iPhone XR.

The more recent claim comes from a private social media account with a verifiable track record, so there's a higher chance Apple will cut off support for its 2018 iPhones.

iPadOS 26, or iPadOS 19, as it was formerly called, will reportedly support the following iPad models, according to both the December 2024 and April 2025 rumors:

• iPad mini 5 and newer


• iPad 8 and newer


• iPad Air 3 and newer


• All 11-inch iPad Pro models


• 12.9-inch iPad Pro third-generation and newer

An April 2025 rumor, from a leaker with a poor track record suggested that the next generation of iPadOS may introduce a menu bar similar to the one found in macOS. While this particular idea is far-fetched, plenty of other claims have appeared about the features and apps we might see in iOS 26.

New Apple Games app, AI battery management, AirPods live translation, and more

According to a May 2025 report, Apple will introduce a dedicated game-related app during WWDC 2025. Supposedly, Apple wants to sell gamers and developers on the idea that it is a leader in the market with a new app. This claim aligns with a similar rumor from October 2024.

Apple is reportedly working on a new dedicated game app.

The new Apple Games app will reportedly act as a mesh between Apple's disparate gaming systems. It is rumored to show editorial content about games, the App Store games page, Apple Arcade, leaderboards, and more. Mac users may also get an app which would tie to games downloaded outside of the App Store. This particular rumor likely applies to the game launching aspect of the app.

According to a separate May 2025 rumor, Apple is preparing to introduce a new Apple Intelligence feature with iOS 26. It's said to be an update to the battery management system of iOS, which would work based on usage habits.

The proposed system will allegedly monitor the way that the user actually uses the iPhone, and use that as a basis for power management decisions. This can include making setting or configuration changes to conserve energy at certain times.

Siri is also expected to receive a chatbot-type Apple Intelligence upgrade, according to a November 2024 report. By Siri chatbot, the report said it would be a large language model (LLM)-based Siri, which would be able to handle more conversational features. Apple still has yet to deliver Siri's personal context features, which were promised at WWDC 2024, and then delayed.

All of these reports concern Apple's own use of its Apple Intelligence technology, but it's also being reported that the company may now open up access to that. It's claimed that third-party developers will be given APIs to let them build their own AI-powered features.

iOS 26 may use AI for battery-related enhancements.

The company's iconic AirPods, meanwhile, are rumored to receive an entirely new feature that translates in-person conversations from one language to another. The rumored live translation capability will make it significantly easier for speakers of two different languages to communicate. According to a March 2025 report, it's expected to debut with iOS 26.

In another quite late leak just ahead of WWDC 2025, a further report backed up this claim of live translation via AirPods, and said it would be one of the few updates to use Apple Intelligence.

The translation change may not be limited to just AirPods. On June 3, rumors claimed that Messages could gain a live translation feature powered by Apple Intelligence. Text arriving in a language other than the one set in the system will be automatically translated, it was claimed.

Messages may also get another feature, the same rumors claimed, with polls being a possibility. Already available in rival messaging apps, the polls could use contextual data and AI to help users generate polls on the fly.

There was also a claim about the Apple Music app, gaining a full-screen animated artwork feature to the Lock Screen. Currently, album art is shown on the Lock Screen in an unanimated square, with the new version being closer in concept to the Now Playing screen.

Apple Notes could also get a long-requested feature, to export notes in Markdown.

In May 2025, a rumor suggested that there would be two changes related to the Apple Pencil, implemented to help users in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia to write in Arabic. The first is the introduction of an advanced bi-directional keyboard, designed to switch between the right-to-left Arabic and the left-to-right English languages.

The second change entails a new virtual reed calligraphy pen for Apple Pencil users. It is probable that Apple's take will offer a writing experience closer to how a Kamish reed pen is handled and used, versus any existing calligraphy pen already used in apps. These are all only rumored changes, though. Officially, Apple has unveiled only a few tidbits about its next-gen operating systems ahead of WWDC.

New Accessibility features, old Apple Home architecture getting discontinued

On May 13, Ahead of Global Accessibility Awareness Day 2025, Apple unveiled a slew of new features coming to iOS. Though they are technically new software features, the enhancements themselves are intended for people with disabilities.

While Apple has announced new Accessibility features for iOS 26, the software will not support the older Apple Home architecture.

The new features include:

• Accessibility Nutrition Labels on the App Store


• Magnifier for Mac


• Braille Access


• Accessibility Reader


• Live captions on Apple Watch


• Live Recognition in Apple Vision Pro

Apple says that it is also updating:

• Eye Tracking on iPhone and iPad


• Head Tracking to control devices with head movements


• Switch Control for Brain Computer Interfaces


• Assistive Access for the Apple TV app


• Customizable Music Haptics on iPhone


• Sound Recognition gains Name Recognition


• Voice Control for Xcode


• New languages in Live Captions


• Large Text in CarPlay

Alongside all of these new and updated features, Apple says it is adding an option called Share Accessibility Settings. It's intended so that users can quickly share their settings when borrowing someone else's device.

On May 12, a day before the company revealed its new software features, Apple also explained that it would be discontinuing support for the old Apple Home architecture in 2025, which lines up with the release of iOS 26.

Potential release date

The release of the newest versions of its operating systems tends to happen in the fall, as it has been for years. This is to coincide with the latest hardware releases at that time, which this year includes the iPhone 17 range.

However, that won't be the first time anyone will be aware of iOS 26 itself. Apple introduces its operating systems months in advance of release so that developers can take advantage of function changes and other alterations. This also lets developers and testers see if any of the changes they hoped for actually made into the OS.

Developer betas typically get tested repeatedly with regular builds up until the eventual public release. Apple usually introduces the fall operating system releases during WWDC, and we will get our first glimpse of iOS 26 (or iOS 19) on June 9.



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The iPhone 17 Air is rumored to arrive in September and there are already a lot of expectations for it. Here's how it may fare against the just-launched Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge.

iPhone 17 Air render [left], Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge [right]

Apple has, for a long time, been obsessed with making thinner devices. This fall, it is rumored that it will offer something in that vein in its iPhone lineup, in the form of the iPhone 17 Air.

However, it's not the only smartphone producer on the market capable of creating a slimline device.

The May 12 launch of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge shows a rival device that offers many of the same core capabilities expected from Apple's slimmest model.

This gives consumers an opportunity to see the kind of device that Apple could be bringing out in a few short months time.

iPhone 17 Air vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge - Physical design

The Galaxy S25 Edge doesn't stray far from the typical design of a premium smartphone. It is, in essence, a device with an edge-to-edge display, with a thin metal strip around the edge.

The key to the design is its thickness, with Samsung managing to make it just 5.8mm thick. For comparison, the Galaxy S24+ is 7.7mm thick, while the iPhone 16 is 7.8mm.

At 6.7 inches, the screen diagonal gives it a fairly large footprint, which also helps accentuate the thin aesthetic for the hardware.

Unsurprisingly, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge is very thin.

While we have actual facts and figures for the Galaxy S25 Edge, we do have to rely on rumors and educated guesses for the iPhone 17 Air.

So far, rumors for the model point to it being 5.5 or 5.6mm thick, which is marginally smaller than what Samsung managed with its design.

To go with the thin body, the iPhone 17 Air will also have a large edge-to-edge display. At 6.6 inches, the Air will be in pretty much the same ballpark as the Edge, and have the same thinness-accentuating effect.

That thinness brings with it the perception of fragility and pliability. The poorly-named "Bendgate" is still something people remember.

To ensure strength, Samsung uses a titanium frame in the Edge, supported by Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2 on the front and Victus 2 on the back. Rumors point to Apple doing something similar for the Air, with a titanium alloy frame.

While both smartphones will be marketed on being as thin as possible, they won't be able to escape having a camera bump sticking out of the back. That's something that will remain a problem, simply because of the difficulty of squeezing components into an extremely enclosed space.

iPhone 17 Air vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge - Screens

The displays of the smartphones will dictate their overall size, and as discussed, they will be quite similar. At 6.7 inches diagonally for the Edge and 6.6 inches believed for the Air, it will be very close when both models are out.

The screens themselves should also be similar in terms of technology and capability, thanks to Samsung Display being a supplier of iPhone displays.

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge display is edge-to-edge as usual, and has ProMotion-like qualities.

Samsung uses an AMOLED 2X display, which is listed as having a QHD+ resolution, as well as a variable 1-120Hz refresh rate. This is a premium display for a flagship device, and is to be expected from Samsung.

On Apple's side, the iPhone 17 Air is anticipated to use Samsung's M14 OLED panels, which offer a 30% boost in brightness and a better lifespan over the preceding M13 panels.

Resolution-wise, the Air should be at about 2,740 by 1,260, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. This would be pretty close to the 2,796 by 1,290 resolution of the iPhone 16 Plus.

The rumor mill is also in the belief that Apple will incorporate ProMotion into the display. ProMotion is typically a Pro-grade iPhone feature, but the special nature of the Air may warrant its inclusion here.

iPhone 17 Air vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge - Cameras

A big change expected for the iPhone 17 Air is the camera, in part prompted by the limited internal capacity of the iPhone 17 Air's enclosure. With the display, circuitry, and other components fighting for limited space, it makes sense for the bump to play a part here.

For the Air, the rumors are that Apple is switching to a camera "bar," namely a bump that spans the entire width of the iPhone.

Despite having the extra space of the bar, Apple may not necessarily include many cameras in it. Rumors point to it having a single rear 48MP camera, which could potentially provide a 12MP "optical zoom" with a virtual second camera, thanks to cropping.

Samsung's Edge, meanwhile, will be using a dual camera layout similar to the iPhone 16, with it confined to a compact corner bump.

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge dual camera bump isn't a "bar"

The two cameras consist of a 200MP wide-angle sensor, which is also capable of a 2x "optical quality zoom," as well as a separate 12MP ultra-wide autofocus version.

Around the front, Apple is suspected to include a 24MP sensor, presumably with a hole-punch design hidden by the Dynamic Island UI. Samsung's front hole-punch camera has a 12MP sensor.

iPhone 17 Air vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge - Other specifications

When it comes to comparing other specifications, it becomes hard to propose what the iPhone 17 Air will have, but it will probably be similar in performance to the iPhone 17 Air.

It's probable that Apple will include the A19 chip using a 2-nanometer process from TSMC. It should be more powerful performance-wise than the iPhone 16 range, but the thermal challenges accompanying a thin smartphone design could temper the improvements.

We know the Galaxy S25 Edge uses the Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform for Galaxy, the same as used in the other Galaxy S25 models. We also know it uses a vapor chamber cooling system, but we don't know if Apple will do the same.

Onboard AI processing is also offered by the Edge, and will naturally arrive in the iPhone 17 Air too.

On the Edge, there's tools such as Drawing Assist, Audio Eraser, image scaling with ProScaler, and Auto Trim video highlight reels. There's also Google Gemini support as well.

You could say this is somewhat comparable to Apple Intelligence, including its Clean Up function for Photos feature and ChatGPT integration. That's before taking into account whatever features Apple announces for iOS 19 at WWDC this June.

Battery life on the Edge will be lengthy, thanks to the inclusion of a 3,900mAh battery. While we don't know what Apple's battery will hold, there are rumors of a revival of a battery case accessory on the horizon.

iPhone 17 Air vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge - A hint at the future

It's impossible to directly compare a product that exists against one that has been heavily rumored, albeit months away from release. But even so, you can still see a lot of similarities between the two products, both physical and conceptual.

Indeed, you could probably consider the Edge as the Samsung equivalent of what Apple could be bringing out in September. It's a thin smartphone with a very similar footprint, so it should give you an idea of what to expect.

More of a comparison between the Edge and Air will certainly be made when we have hard data on Apple's slim smartphone's capabilities. But for now, Samsung has offered an analog that Apple could equally achieve.

iPhone 17 Air vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge - Where to buy

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge is available from Samsung for preorder, priced from $1,099.99.



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The phone calls between the President and the country's most lucrative tech company's CEO have become regular, though it isn't clear what they accomplish beyond keeping Apple on the nice list.

iPhone prices may be safe from going up, for now

The economically catastrophic and seemingly random tariff wars reached a new milestone on Monday as the Trump administration announced a new tariff deal with China. While Apple was exempt from much of the tariffs for now, it was still set to take a $900 million hit in the June quarter -- which now may have been lessened.

According to a report from CNBC, President Trump said he spoke with Apple CEO Tim Cook on the phone after announcing the changes to the tariffs in China. He didn't share details of the conversation, only that Cook will "even up his numbers."

There's no real way to interpret what that phrase might actually mean.

It could be referring to Apple not having to lose $900 million during the June quarter. However, that number won't be zero. The tariffs are still set to 10% to 30% based on which goods are being discussed -- still notably higher than before Trump took office.

The phrase could indicate that Apple's $500 billion investment in American manufacturing infrastructure could be recouped. However, whether or not Apple's investment is returned is moot because that money won't see returns for more than a decade.

There's a chance that he's referring to the price of the iPhone, which Apple is still toying with the idea of raising to account for tariffs. While Apple would still be taking a loss at 10%, it isn't as great a loss as at 145%, so it could eat that difference instead of passing it to customers.

Regardless, Apple won't be able to "even up numbers" for long, as a semiconductor tariff is still being worked on by the administration. That, and the chaotic back and forth on every economic policy, makes it impossible to predict the next three months, let alone the next three days.

Whatever the case, Apple has enough cash on hand to endure for many years, regardless of the whims of the US presidency. Cook's phone calls continue to be a part of his strategic playbook, which plays to Trump's ego in desiring phone calls and dinners with powerful people seemingly as a trade of good faith.



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Apple's Tim Cook attended President Trump's gathering of business CEOs via satellite, and committed the company to working with the administration.

Tim Cook speaking at a Trump press call via satellite -- image credit: Fox

Cook has continued his political handling of Trump that's previously included conversations and meetings, which led to the president granting Apple a tariff exemption, despite then immediately denying that he had. This time, Cook appeared by satellite at a publicity meeting between Trump and around 20 business leaders, on April 30, 2025, according to Fox Business.

After apologizing that he couldn't be present in person, Cook repeated his regular remark that, "Apple could only have been created in the United States."

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"We are a uniquely American company, and we care deeply about our impact on this country," he continued. Cook then gave examples of Apple's work in the US, starting with its politically savvy reframing of regular projects as $500 billion of new investment.

"I want to take a moment to recognize President Trump's focus on domestic semiconductor manufacturing," said Cook, "and we will continue to work with the administration as we invest in these areas."

"Needless to say, we are excited for the future of American innovation and the incredible opportunities it will create," he continued, "and we are honored to do our part."

Present in person at the meeting were Nvidia's Jensen Huang, plus representatives from Johnson & Johnson, Pratt Factories, and others.

A Tim Cook-autographed Apple Silicon wafer on display next to an aircraft engine at the White House -- image credit: Fox

While a photocall was held in the Oval Office, the rest of the meeting took place in a White House room that featured examples of the various CEO's businesses. Alongside a Pratt & Whitney engine, there was an Apple Silicon wafer in a case autographed by Tim Cook.

The gift follows Cook's presentation to Trump of a Mac Pro in 2019.

Reportedly, as well as the PR aspect of the gathering, Trump is said to have met in private with the business leaders. It has not been reported whether they discussed tariffs, and the meeting was held before Cook revealed that Apple expects to take a $900 million hit from Trump's plans in the next quarter.



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While the European Union has now fined Apple for what it claims is non-compliance with its Digital Markets Act, the sum involved has been kept low to avoid increasing EU/US trade tensions.

An EU flag with the App Store logo

After denying reports saying that the EU was delaying fines while its member states negotiate with Trump over his "reciprocal" tariffs, the EU has now issued fines for both Apple and Meta. Apple has been fined while Meta was fined $227 million, both for claimed non-compliance with the Digital Markets Act (DMA).

"Today's decisions send a strong and clear message," Teresa Ribera, the EU's new antitrust chief said in the full ruling. "The Digital Markets Act is a crucial instrument to unlock potential, choice and growth by ensuring digital players can operate in contestable and fair markets."

"It protects European consumers and levels the playing field," she continued. "Apple and Meta have fallen short of compliance with the DMA by implementing measures that reinforce the dependence of business users and consumers on their platforms."

Specifically, the EU claims that Apple has failed to comply with an obligation to allow developers in its App Store to freely inform customers of alternative offers, "steer them to those offers and allow them to make purchases.

According to Bloomberg, Apple has said it will appeal against the fine. The company is also said to have accused the EU of discriminating against it, and of requiring it to give its technology to rivals for free.

The EU has, though, accepted Apple's "early and proactive engagement" over its complaints concerning user choice concerning default iPhone apps such as browsers.

In the case of Meta, the EU has fined the social media firm over offering users in the European Union a "consent or pay" model. It meant that, for a time, Facebook users were effectively being forced to accept all ads.

However, the EU has also backed down on one key issue concerning Meta. As of now, the Facebook Marketplace is no longer to be subject to the DMA.

That's because Meta has persuaded the EU that Marketplace does not have sufficient business users to qualify under the DMA's conditions for being a gatekeeper platform.

What happens next

Despite Apple reportedly saying it will appeal against the fine, at present the law gives the company 60 days to pay. If it fails to do so, Apple will "risk periodic penalty payments."

It's also possible that Trump will respond to the EU's fine. Before his current second term in office, Trump said that Tim Cook had recently complained to him about the EU.

Trump's comments were typically unclear, but he did conclude by saying that "I'm not going to let them take advantage of our companies -- that won't, you know, be happening.'"

During the term of Teresa Ribera's predecessor, Margrethe Vestager, the EU anticompetition regulator fined Apple $2 billion over allegations regarding Apple Music. Those spurious claims treated Apple Music as the dominant music streaming service, when EU-based Spotify is far more widely used.

With the EU now fining Apple around 70% less for this seemingly similar case, it does appear that the European Commission is trying to avoid a tariff war escalation. Ribera has previously claimed the EU would not be bullied by the US, but has said she was open to negotiations with the White House.



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