‘Obviously we’ll have to comply’: Apple on bringing USB-C to iPhones – Times of India

The European Union (EU) passed a reform earlier this month making it mandatory for all OEMs to make USB-C connectors a standard across all electronic devices. As per the move, Apple would be forced to change the charger for its iPhones in the EU from autumn 2024 to comply with new rules. The company did not respond to the rule change but an executive of the Cupertino-based company has now said that the company “will have to comply” with the new rules.
Greg Joswiak, Senior Vice President, worldwide marketing at Apple told The Wall Street Journal at their WSJ Tech Live event that “obviously we’ll [Apple] have to comply, we have no choice” in bringing an iPhone with a USB-C connector. On a question, when can people expect an iPhone with a USB-C, the executive said that “the Europeans are the ones dictating timing for European customers.” He did not clear when or whether Apple would include the connector on iPhones that are sold outside the EU.
Joswiak also showed disappointment while talking about being forced to change the connector. He explained that since over a billion people already use Lightning cable, switching to USB-C would cause a lot of e-waste. Apple, as a part of its push to reduce carbon footprint, Apple removed the charging brick from the packaging. “Leaving out those adapters was a bold change for Apple and a necessary one for our planet,” Apple had said earlier.

As per EU’s new reform, mobile phones and other devices sold after autumn 2024 will have to be compatible with the single charger (USB-C). The reform also noted that old chargers will not be outlawed so that customers can continue to use older models.
The EU notes that the change is expected to lead to a gradual phase-out of older products. Furthermore, with the EU forcing OEMs to standardise chargers, it is likely that the new rules may push other countries to bring the same changes. In fact, a report earlier this year claimed that India is also looking to make it mandatory for OEMs to have a common charger for all electronic devices.