India Considering New Rules That Could Force Apple to Adopt USB-C on iPhone

Following in the footsteps of the EU, India is now in the early stages of considering imposing regulations on consumer products sold in the country that force a universal standard charger, including USB-C, by as early as 2024, Mint reports.

iPhone 15 to Switch From Lightning to USB C in 2023 feature
The EU had reached an agreement earlier this summer that would force Apple to adopt USB-C on the iPhone and AirPods by fall 2024. While the agreement has been reached, the legislation still needs to be formally approved by the European Parliament and European Council later this year before Apple is forced to change its ways.

Officials in India held a meeting earlier this week with industry stakeholders and popular consumer electronic makers to discuss the possible impacts of a common charger. "The meeting will be more of an explorative nature. We will try to learn from the stakeholders how a common charger can be adopted in India. We will also try to understand their concerns," India's secretary of Consumer Affairs told local media outlets.

The EU and India's push towards adopting a "common port" would impact a wide range of devices, including, more specifically, Apple, which has kept the ‌iPhone‌ with the Lightning port since 2012, while other products, such as the Mac and iPad, have largely moved towards USB-C.

Amid pressure to move towards a "common port," rumors from both Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and Bloomberg's Mark Gurman have said that Apple is testing a USB-C iPhone, which could debut with the iPhone 15 next year. Other Apple products such as the AirPods will follow, according to Kuo.

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Top Rated Comments

Blue Sun Avatar
38 months ago
Why don’t Apple just pull the trigger and add USB-C to the iPhone 14? The Lightning port is not a selling point, in fact, I won’t buy the iPhone 14 if it has a Lightning port.
Score: 42 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Wanted797 Avatar
38 months ago

I agree with the concept of a "common port" in order to cut down on electronic waste (fewer cables for example.)

I have concerns about USB-C port durability though... My 2016 MBP's ports, by the time I sold it the cables would almost fall out of the sockets. And I didn't use them much apart from charging.

I wish Lightning could be upgraded to match the power delivery & transfer speeds USB-C can offer. It seems a lot more durable.
Pretty sure lighting was designed with strength in mind hence its a solid piece.
I hate how usb c has that thin sliver inside the port. It’s just asking to break over time.
Score: 26 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mr Fusion Avatar
38 months ago
I agree with the concept of a "common port" in order to cut down on electronic waste (fewer cables for example.)

I have concerns about USB-C port durability though... My 2016 MBP's ports, by the time I sold it the cables would almost fall out of the sockets. And I didn't use them much apart from charging.

I wish Lightning could be upgraded to match the power delivery & transfer speeds USB-C can offer. It seems a lot more durable.
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nicolas_s Avatar
38 months ago

Apple will have long switched to USB-C across its product line by the time these government regulations work their way through their legislative bureaucracies.
I think they're just waiting to be forced to switch so they can answer "blame it on the govs" to everyone that will try to blame them for the millions of accessories that will be useless. The same answer for those who will accuse them of planned obsolescence.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
yellowbunny Avatar
38 months ago
I’m travelling at the moment. Everything else uses USB C apart from out iPhones… lightning seems so backwards now, especially with our iPads now using the more modern connector too.

I guess they want to squeeze as much money out of lightning connectors before everyone can just use other/cheaper accessories.
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
zakarhino Avatar
38 months ago

I agree with the concept of a "common port" in order to cut down on electronic waste (fewer cables for example.)

I have concerns about USB-C port durability though... My 2016 MBP's ports, by the time I sold it the cables would almost fall out of the sockets. And I didn't use them much apart from charging.

I wish Lightning could be upgraded to match the power delivery & transfer speeds USB-C can offer. It seems a lot more durable.
I absolutely agree, lightning has a much more durable design especially because it snaps into place. I've saved my iPhone a few times because I managed to grab the cable before the phone hits the floor. Lightning is so secure it holds the weight of a 13PM, I doubt you can say the same for practically any USB C android flagship (hoping I get proved wrong on this)
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)