Apple faces class action over Apple Pay fees charged to card issuers

9to5mac.com Sep 25, 2026

Apple faces class action over Apple Pay fees charged to card issuers

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Sep 25, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

U.S. District Judge Jeffrey S. White certified a class‑action lawsuit alleging that Apple charges payment‑card issuers inflated fees for Apple Pay transactions. The suit, brought by Hagens Berman, covers all U.S. card issuers that enabled Apple Pay and paid fees, claiming Apple extracts up to $1 billion annually. Apple is accused of maintaining a monopoly by allowing only its wallet on iOS, while Android offers free mobile wallets. The plaintiffs seek reimbursement for fees and an injunction against Apple’s fee policies.

💡 Why It Matters

· The case could force Apple to alter its fee structure, reshaping the competitive landscape for mobile payments and potentially lowering costs for smaller financial institutions.

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Your iPhone camera is great. These accessories will make it even better

The article reviews a range of iPhone accessories that enhance photography and videography. It highlights Moment’s specialist lenses, including macro and anamorphic options, and notes the need for compatible cases or mounts. ShiftCam’s ProGrip adds a hand‑grip, trigger button, and built‑in power bank for steadier shots. SmallRig’s All‑In‑One Video Kit supplies dual grips, a 360‑degree tripod, cardioid mic, cold shoes, and cables for serious mobile production. SeaLife Sport offers a dedicated underwater housing for iPhones. Each product targets specific shooting challenges, from stability to lighting and audio.

💡 By turning a smartphone into a versatile, professional‑grade rig, these accessories unlock creative possibilities that were once limited to expensive gear.

9to5mac.com · Sep 25

TestFlight now works in landscape as Apple prepares for iPhone Duo

Apple added landscape support to TestFlight and integrated it with the resizable iPhone Mirroring window introduced in macOS 27 Golden Gate. The update, TestFlight 4.4.0, changes the app list from a single column to two columns in landscape and places app and developer panels side by side beneath testing sections. macOS 27 Golden Gate, released earlier this month, allows the Mirroring window to be resized to additional aspect ratios, a feature many linked to Apple’s upcoming foldable iPhone, dubbed iPhone Duo. At the iPhone Duo event Apple said it had adapted every native iOS app for the device’s dual displays. The iPhone Duo will begin presale on October 16 and ship on October 23 for $1,999 in the American United States.

💡 The landscape update readies TestFlight for developers to preview apps on the Duo’s dual screens, accelerating the foldable’s software ecosystem launch.

appleinsider.com · Sep 25

Thousands of banks can now sue over Apple Pay fees in one…

Thousands of U.S. banks and credit unions have been allowed to join a single antitrust lawsuit against Apple after federal Judge Jeffrey White certified the case as a class action on September 23. The plaintiffs allege that Apple blocks rival tap‑to‑pay wallets on iPhone devices and forces card issuers to pay fees for each Apple Pay transaction. They contend that the lack of competition lets Apple impose a 0.15 percent charge on credit‑card purchases and a half‑cent fee on debit transactions, costs that accrue to the issuers. Apple unsuccessfully sought to bar the plaintiffs’ damages expert, but the certification does not resolve whether Apple’s practices violate antitrust law or require restitution. The suit streamline litigation and pressure on Apple to change policies.

💡 A unified class action gives smaller banks the legal heft to challenge Apple’s fee structure, potentially reshaping mobile payment economics.

9to5mac.com · Sep 25

New iPad mini details revealed in latest leak

A new leak from Apple’s internal code reveals that the next‑generation iPad mini will feature a new A20 Pro chip, matching the power of the iPhone 18 Pro, and an OLED display. The design remains largely unchanged from the current model, but the camera relocates to the side, and a small speaker cutout appears at the top of the screen. The device is expected to offer improved water resistance and a revised speaker system, with a projected release by the end of October.

💡 The A20 Pro upgrade signals a significant performance leap for the iPad mini, positioning it as a more capable competitor in the mid‑size tablet market.

appleinsider.com · Sep 25

Apple’s next HomePod mini won’t get a redesign, but will get some…

Apple is preparing a second‑generation HomePod mini that retains the original spherical chassis while adding four color options. The new lineup will replace the current yellow and orange finishes with powder pink and forest‑green, while blue, black and white return. The details emerged from product‑image files embedded in Apple’s software code, which MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris uncovered and shared. Apple has not formally announced the device, but the presence of the images suggests a launch is imminent. The first HomePod mini arrived in October 2020 and survived the discontinuation of the full‑size HomePod, remaining the company’s sole smart speaker until a refreshed full‑size model appeared in January 2023. The upcoming refresh signals Apple’s continued focus on the compact smart‑speaker market.

💡 Fresh colorways let Apple tap aesthetic differentiation to sustain consumer interest in a crowded smart‑speaker space.

9to5mac.com · Sep 25

Apple and Qualcomm renew global patent licensing agreement

Qualcomm and Apple have extended their global patent licensing agreement, which originally expired in 2027, with a new deal effective April 1, 2027. The renewal follows a 2019 settlement that ended a 2017 lawsuit over Qualcomm’s licensing practices and royalty payments. The original agreement, which included a six‑year term and a two‑year extension option, was exercised by Apple to run through March 2027. Qualcomm announced the renewal without disclosing its duration, while Apple has not yet commented. The extension does not address current modem supply arrangements.

💡 The renewal secures a long‑term patent partnership that underpins future iPhone chip designs, reducing legal uncertainty for both firms. It also signals continued reliance on Qualcomm’s modem technology amid Apple’s gradual shift toward in‑house solutions.