The unstable driver issue exactly why Apple should not make devices interoperable as the EU demands. If they comply with the EU demand and then the device performance is bad due to crappy third party integrations, consumers will blame Apple. If consumers can buy Apple devices everywhere except the EU they will blame the EU not Apple.

Few die hards will maybe buy it abroad, most of them will just buy something from a competitor.

Anyway you could make exactly same argument for installation of 3rd party applications into the phone.

Few die hards? We have an actual case study: Russia. Apple does not sell in Russia anymore but market share has increased.

Here’s a comparison of iOS share in Russia (mobile OS) between August 2025 vs August 2023, using StatCounter data: • August 2025: iOS ~ 31.97 % • August 2023: iOS ~ 27 % (approximately) — StatCounter’s historical data shows iOS had around 26-28 % share in Russia in mid-2023

So between August 2023 and August 2025, iOS’s share in Russia appears to have increased by about 4–6 percentage points (from ~27% → ~32%).

If Apple doesn't sell in Russia anymore why does it still comply with Russian government's requests? https://uk.pcmag.com/vpn/154510/apple-complies-with-russian-...

As you see Apple is willing to chase money despite sanctions. If they would be serious, there would be 0% iOS devices in Russia, because we both know that iPhones can be remotely locked.

Now compare tiny Russian market to European market. Apple is making obvious empty bluff.

The Russian market is not tiny, it is literally the largest economy in Europe with the highest GDP per capita for 2025 when adjusted for PPP. It is also has the highest population in Europe.

If they can pull out of Russia and lose nothing why can’t they pull out of the EU?

Does not matter what is the size of Russian economy, but what are Apple revenues, which were around 1% of Apple's revenue. It is a tiny market.

Despite Apple’s exit from Russia after the 2022 invasion, StatCounter data shows iOS share actually rose from ~27.5% in Aug 2021 to ~32% in 2025 in Russia.

If Apple left the EU they would lose nothing.

Russian market has been less than 1% of Apple's revenue

European market is 25% Apple's revenue (7% is just App Store revenue)

Russian market is tiny compared to Europe + they were forced to do it via sanctions or risk being sanctioned themselves, so it is easy for Apple to tell we have to leave this market (even that they really did not, otherwise Russians would not be able to i.e. pay for development licenses). Leaving Europe is entirely Apple's decision without somebody forcing their hand.

The 25% number you quoted is for the entire European market including Russia and the Middle East not just the EU. Actual EU market is around 7%.

Anyway the point is, Apple lost 0 market share even after they pulled out.

> Despite Apple’s exit from Russia after the 2022 invasion

Apple didn't exit the market. They keep providing services and complying with every whim of the Russian government: https://www.pcmag.com/news/apple-complies-with-russian-censo...