Apple Forced To Follow EU Rules Use USB-C As A Power Fill For IPhones

Apple will finally comply with the new EU (EU) rules using the USB-C power connector (photo: dock. Pixabay)

JAKARTA - Apple will finally comply with a new European Union (EU) rule that requires most devices, including smartphones sold in the region, to use a USB-C power connector.

"Obviously we have to comply, we don't have a choice like we do around the world to comply with local laws, but we thought the approach would be more environmentally friendly and it would be better for our customers not to have such a prescriptive government," said SVP of marketing. Apple, Greg Joswiak told the Wall Street Journal.

Apple's current line of products such as the MacBook and iPad now all have a USB-C connector, but only the iPhone retains Apple's Lightning connector.

By adhering to these rules, going forward iPhones sold on the continent could use standard USB-C charging, and potentially even extend to devices Apple sells in other markets as well, if the company decides to downsize its products globally.

But Joswiak declined to say when Apple would introduce the iPhone with USB-C, "Well, again, Europe dictates the timing for European customers," said Joswiak.

Reporting from ZDNet, Thursday, October 27, the Cupertino, United States (US) tech giant releases a new iPhone in September every year, which means the company will either ship the iPhone 15 with USB-C or delay it to the iPhone 16.

EU member states earlier this week voted to approve legislation that would require smartphones, tablets, digital cameras, portable speakers and other small devices to support USB-C charging by 2024.

The first law of its kind aims to streamline the number of chargers, and so that users can use one charging cable to another even if they are manufactured by different manufacturers.

Joswiak called the European governments well-meaning and said, "I get the fact that they want to achieve good things," said Joswiak.

Even so, he emphasized the value and existence of a Lightning charger designed for faster device charging.

“This is a great connector and more than a billion people already have it. They have the cable and have what they need, have the infrastructure in their house, have the speakers, and have the ecosystem to work with,” said Joswiak.

"I don't mind the government telling us what they want to achieve, but usually we have some pretty smart engineers helping us figure out how to achieve it technically."