EU Proposes to Force Apple to Switch iPhone, iPad, and AirPods From Lightning to USB-C

Hartley Charlton

MacRumors


The European Commission has presented legislation that would compell Apple to use a USB-C port on all iPhones, iPads, and AirPods (via Reuters).


The proposal would force all consumer electronics manufacturers who sell devices in Europe to ensure that all smartphones, tablets, cameras, headphones, portable speakers, handheld videogame consoles feature a USB-C port. This "common port" would be a world first and impact Apple in particular since it widely uses the Lightning connector on many of its devices.

Environmental benefits, reduced waste, convenience, and $293 million in annual savings for users are said to be among the motivations for the legislation.

The draft legislation also proposed that chargers should be sold separately from electronic devices, a move that Apple already started with the iPhone 12 models. The European Commission is also planning to revise its eco-design regulations to ensure that external power supplies for devices are interoperable.

In a statement shared with Reuters, Apple said "We remain concerned that strict regulation mandating just one type of connector stifles innovation rather than encouraging it, which in turn will harm consumers in Europe and around the world." The company also expressed concerns about the proposed two-year transition period to switch to USB-C.

The proposal now needs to be greenlit by the EU parliament before it can come into law. From that point, companies will have two years to transition to USB-C on their devices.

More to follow...

Tags: European Union, European Commission, Lightning

This article, "EU Proposes to Force Apple to Switch iPhone, iPad, and AirPods From Lightning to USB-C" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Continue Reading

Loading data