Apple confirms to comply with European USB-C law for smartphones

Apple confirms it will comply with the recently passed EU law that requires USB-C ports in smartphones. The company didn’t actually say whether they’re going to put a USB-C port on iPhones; a phone that can only be charged wirelessly does not have to have a USB port.

Senior Vice President Greg Joswiak confirms in conversation with The Wall Street Journal that Apple will comply with the recently passed EU law. This law makes it mandatory for smartphones, but also other portable electronics such as tablets and earphones, to have a USB-C charging port if they can be charged wired. Joswiak therefore says that his company does not want to legally challenge this law, but will comply with the law.

This does not necessarily mean that iPhones will be required to have USB-C ports in the future. The law only requires this if a device can be charged wired. Apple can therefore decide that its phones can only be charged wirelessly. This was not mentioned in the conversation. According to an earlier rumor, Apple is testing iPhones with a USB-C charging port.

Joswiak was asked when iPhones will comply with the law. “The European Union sets the timeline for European customers,” he said. Manufacturers will not have to comply with the law for more than two years, or at the earliest by the end of 2024. Apple normally announces new iPhones in September, so it may take until the iPhone 17-generation devices before Apple stops in the EU with the Lightning port.

The Apple CEO also did not elaborate on the question of whether iPhones outside the EU will still be equipped with Lightning port. He did indicate that he does not agree with the new legislation and that “a billion customers” are already using Lightning cables. He therefore wonders whether the law will not actually create more waste, while the Commission wants to use the law to combat waste.

Apple’s Craig Federighi and Greg Joswiak (@gregjoz) join @JoannaStern at #WSJTechLive to discuss products, privacy and power at the tech giant

— The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) October 26, 2022