The settlement was reached earlier this month but was awaiting court approval by the Federal Court in Melbourne.

Apple quickly backed down after the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) filed suit on March 28, agreeing to clarify that its latest iPad was not compatible with the sole 4G network in the country, run by Telstra. Apple also agreed to offer a refund, although few people returned their devices.

Judge J. Bromberg in his ruling that it isn't possible to find out how many Australian consumers were mislead or disappointed. But Bromberg wrote "I have no doubt that given the promotion by Telstra of the superiority of its 4G network, many purchasers will have felt decidedly short-changed."

Telstra's 4G service operates on the 1800MHz band. But the latest iPad can only use LTE on the 700MHz and 2100MHz bands. The device is compatible with 4G LTE networks in the U.S. and Canada using data speed specifications including HSPA, HSPA+ and DC-HSDPA.

In a statement, the ACCC said the "penalty reflects the seriousness of a company the size of Apple refusing to change its advertising when it has been put on notice that it is likely to be misleading consumers."