Apple(US:AAPL) 3 6 Ke·2025-11-19 00:31Core Viewpoint - Apple and Tencent have reached an agreement regarding the fees for WeChat mini-programs, allowing developers to integrate into Apple's payment system, thus becoming part of the "Apple tax" framework. This compromise results in Apple reducing its commission from 30% to 15% for mini-programs, while Tencent agrees to pay the Apple tax, enhancing Apple's revenue from services amidst stagnant hardware profits [1][6][17]. Group 1: Apple Tax and Revenue - The "Apple tax" refers to the commission Apple charges developers for in-app purchases, typically ranging from 15% to 30% [2][4]. - In 2023, Apple's global revenue from the Apple tax was approximately $22.34 billion, equivalent to about 158.8 billion RMB [4]. - The report titled "Apple Ecosystem in China" indicated that Apple's App Store ecosystem generated sales of 3.763 trillion RMB in China in 2023, with digital goods and services accounting for less than 4% of this total [4][21]. Group 2: WeChat Mini-Programs - WeChat mini-programs, launched in January 2017, have been a significant source of contention between Apple and Tencent, with Apple previously threatening to remove WeChat from the App Store [5][6]. - The agreement allows mini-program developers to access Apple's payment interface with a reduced commission rate of 15%, marking a significant shift in their relationship [6][16]. Group 3: Industry Context and Trends - Apple's hardware revenue has stagnated, prompting a strategic shift towards enhancing software services as a primary profit driver [17][27]. - The gross margin for software services has increased from 55% to 75% since 2016, highlighting the growing importance of this segment to Apple's overall profitability [27][30]. - As of the fiscal year ending September 2023, service revenue accounted for 42% of Apple's net profit, surpassing the iPhone's contribution of 41% for the first time [31].