Chinese developers filed an antitrust complaint with the State Administration for Market Regulation, adding a fourth legal battle against Apple's App Store in less than a decade. Forty‑eight firms argue that the 25% commission on paid apps and in‑app purchases is unfair and that the company has failed to honor its promise of the lowest rate in China.

Apple cut its Chinese commission to 25% in March 2026 and reduced subscription renewals from 15% to 12%, but developers say those rates still lag behind Brazil’s 10%–21% range and a 5% processing fee. They demand a commission as low as the EU’s 5% in scenarios that allow third‑party stores.

Previous complaints in 2017 and 2021, plus a 2025 lawsuit by a law firm, show a persistent pattern of resistance. Apple’s willingness to lower fees suggests regulatory pressure, yet the company has not matched Brazil’s lower rates, leaving developers to question whether the current structure stifles competition and innovation in China’s app market.

The open letter to SAMR calls for an investigation into what developers label Apple’s “unfair and excessively high” fees. If the regulator acts, it could force a recalibration of commission tiers or open the door to alternative app stores, reshaping the competitive landscape for Chinese developers and potentially lowering costs for end users.