Apple "shocked", users own cheaper iPhones?

The 88-page lawsuit was filed in the US Federal Court in Newark, New Jersey on March 21. The lawsuit emphasizes the need to "focus on freeing the smartphone market from Apple's manipulation, creating a healthier environment. From there, force Apple to reduce product prices for users, reduce costs for developers and maintain innovation."

"Consumers should not have to pay higher prices to companies that violate antitrust laws," said US Attorney General Merrick Garland. "If the law remains in place, Apple will continue to consolidate its monopoly in the phone market."

The DOJ claims Apple is selling iPhones at a top price of $1,599 to “earn higher profits than anyone else in the smartphone industry.”

"Apple" is also accused of "colluding with business partners, from developers to banks, credit, and even with competitors "behind the scenes" to jointly raise the price of devices and services, harming consumers.

CNBC said the lawsuit could force Apple to make many changes in its business operations - including the iPhone, Apple Watch and services business.

The iPhone business generated more than $200 billion in revenue for Apple in 2023. The Apple Watch, part of the company's wearables business, also generated $40 billion.

The DOJ also accused Apple of undermining consumers by blocking competitors from operating on its platforms and hardware. The DOJ cited Apple as blocking technologies that increase competition between phones — including super apps, cloud gaming, messaging apps, smartwatches, and digital wallets. It also accused the App Store of charging higher fees on Android.

Through the lawsuit, DOJ is asking Apple to provide users with more third-party options to "exploit Apple-designed hardware," Reuters reported.

In addition, the DOJ also cited several emails from co-founder Steve Jobs expressing "displeasure at seeing users easily switch from iPhone to Android phones and vowing to force app developers to follow Apple's own way."

Responding after the DOJ and 15 US states jointly sued Apple, White House assistant press secretary Michael Kikukawa revealed: "President Joe Biden strongly supports fair and vigorous enforcement of antitrust laws."

On Apple's side, in a recent statement, the company said that they disagree with the above allegations and will fight against it.

"This lawsuit threatens the principles that differentiate Apple products in a fiercely competitive marketplace. If successful, it would prevent us from creating the technologies people expect from Apple, where hardware, software and services intersect," an Apple spokesperson said. The lawsuit could also set a dangerous precedent, giving the government more power to intervene in the design of technology for people.

On the customer side, many expressed support for the lawsuit filed by the DOJ and 15 US states. They also hope that the lawsuit will be successful so that users can access iPhones and other Apple products at more competitive prices.

Apple is also currently under antitrust investigation in several places including Europe, Japan and South Korea. The "bitten apple" also faces a long-running lawsuit over its App Store charging policy with Epic Games.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/apple-dinh-cu-soc-nguoi-dung-so-huu-iphone-gia-re-hon-19624032214360815.htm