21世纪经济报道·2025-11-14 10:00Core Viewpoint - Apple announced a reduction in the App Store commission rate from 30% to 15% for certain developers, contingent upon their participation in the new "Mini Apps Partner Program" [1][3]. This move is seen as a strategy to balance interests with platforms like WeChat, Alipay, and Douyin [1]. Group 1: Apple and Tencent Agreement - Tencent has reached an agreement with Apple, allowing Apple to handle payments for WeChat mini-games and apps, taking a 15% cut [3]. - Currently, Apple charges a 30% commission on digital revenue for apps earning over $1 million annually, while those earning less pay 15% [3]. - Tencent's president acknowledged the strong relationship between Tencent and Apple, indicating ongoing discussions to enhance the mini-game ecosystem [3]. Group 2: Revenue Sharing and Market Impact - The new revenue-sharing model between Apple and Tencent is expected to impact the commercial ecosystem, although the exact effects remain to be seen [7]. - Most digital content apps and mini-programs primarily generate revenue through In-App Purchases (IAP), In-App Ads (IAA), or a hybrid model, with the 15% commission likely applying only to IAP [8]. - Advertising revenue typically does not go through Apple's payment channels, complicating the revenue-sharing structure [9]. Group 3: Market Dynamics and Developer Incentives - The mini-program market is rapidly growing, with projections indicating a revenue of 398.36 billion yuan in 2024, a 99.18% increase year-on-year [12]. - The agreement allows Tencent to tap into this growing market, which has been negatively impacted by the lack of in-app purchase support on iOS [12]. - The new arrangement may lead to more paid applications transitioning to mini-programs, potentially strengthening the market power of these platforms [14]. Group 4: Regulatory Context and Compliance Risks - Apple's adjustments in commission rates and payment processing are partly driven by increasing antitrust scrutiny in various regions [16][17]. - The "Mini Apps Partner Program" requires developers to integrate Apple's official software technologies, which may raise compliance risks under antitrust laws [18][20]. - The requirement for data sharing and the prohibition of third-party payment channels could be seen as an abuse of market dominance [20].