Why is it not a good outcome for Apple?
Had they appealed up to the Supreme Court and lost, they (and many other US tech companies) would be in a bind. If they won, they would be in no better position than they are today.
The fact that the FBI got at the data doesn't really hurt them. Basically from the public point of view, the FBI had a LOT of trouble getting at the data so the phone is more than secure enough for their needs, since most of us wouldn't have the level of resources directed at breaking into our phones that the FBI was putting forth for this one. Plus, the DOJ says the method "only works on this particular phone" so it isn't like they have a new trick in their toolbag they can share with police all over the US to break into iPhones willy nilly.
There's also no evidence what they did would have been possible on a newer iPhone with the secure enclave - and as of last week Apple no longer sells any iPhones that lack it.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
