The exemption requested was temporary.
EU response said it was "for a minimum of 18 months" — does not sound temporary to me.
How is that not temporary? "Ok, you asked for an exemption for a minimum of 18 months, we're granting you what you asked for, an 18 month exemption".
By now, Apple has accrued years of malicious DMA/DSA compliance. After those 18 months they'll try to find another reason not to allow competition.
Besides that, the law is the law and the DMA/DSA has been around for years. Why should they get an exception is one part of a duopoly?
The 18 months was to entrench themselves in favor of other players.