India May Force Apple to Adopt USB-C on iPhone After EU Passes Similar Law

India is making progress on a government proposal that would enforce a standard charger, USB-C, across all smartphones, tablets, and laptops, following in the footsteps of the EU, which just recently passed a similar law.

iPhone 15 to Switch From Lightning to USB C in 2023 feature sans arrow
In a government press release, India's Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution secretary, Rohit Kumar Singh, said different government and private agencies held a meeting and a "broad consensus emerged among stakeholders on adoption of USB Type – C as a charging port for electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, etc." The press release added: "Further, it was deliberated that a different charging port may be adopted for feature phones."

India's consideration of mandating a common charger across consumer devices was previously reported on in August, however, it seems the government is moving forward with its proposal after initially saying it would explore the possibility of such a law.

If India does move forward with the proposed plan, it will follow in the European Union's footsteps, which recently passed a law that mandates USB-C across a wide range of consumer electronic devices by 2024. Apple's vice president of worldwide marketing, Greg Joswiak, said in a recent event that Apple would have to comply with the EU's new law, indirectly confirming the iPhone will adopt USB-C in the near future.

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes all iPhone 15 models will ditch the Lightning port in favor of USB-C, but only the higher-end models of the 2023 ‌iPhone‌ lineup will benefit from faster transfer speeds.

Top Rated Comments

madmin Avatar
7 months ago
Hey India make them have USB3.0 speeds too ;)
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
WiiDSmoker Avatar
7 months ago
Having to create laws like this lies solely on the fact that Tim Cook is nothing but a penny pincher. Apple touts themselves as being leagues beyond other manufacturers and yet they still want to utilize an input output slot from 10 years ago.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Pilot Jones Avatar
7 months ago

Boy oh boy, Here we goooo!

Apple pull out from India?
You can't really pull out of a market if you've barely broken into it in the first place ?

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Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ApostolisApo Avatar
7 months ago
Sad news for any fanboy out there who was adamant that Apple would not be forced to change their god-made plan and would release an EU-only USB-C iPhone
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
bLackjackj Avatar
7 months ago
Someone didn't get the memo, Lol..they are 2 years behind.

Clearly this is intended for India manufactured and India sold hardware. Why is this an Apple story, when all Apple global hardware is already going USB-C.

Waste of money on a 1st world issue.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
WiiDSmoker Avatar
7 months ago

Such a law would have no effect on Apple, because all their chargers are already USB-C (or wireless). To have any effect, the law would have to specify the allowable connectors on the cable from the charger to the device, not the connectors on the charger.
Nobody trusts Apple to do the right thing. Without the EU, Apple would never give up lightning and control.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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