European Commission Could Force Apple To Use USB-C On The iPhone

A new proposal from the European Commission, planned for September, would implement a standard for chargers, including the use of a single connector.

During the first years of the conquest of the market by smartphones, each manufacturer used its own proprietary connector; which meant having to use a different charger for each mobile we bought. That has generated a huge amount of electronic waste, in addition to the impact on the consumer.

European politicians have been wondering for ten years whether to do something about it but, until now, they had not dared to force anything on the manufacturers, who, little by little and each on their own, have been adopting USB-C as their only connector; everyone except Apple, of course. The apple company continues to bet on its Lightning connector, which is not compatible with any other brand charger.

It was only in 2020 that the first signs of impatience were noticed, with a unanimous vote in the European Parliament to initiate legislation that would impose a single charger, but even then there were serious doubts if that meant using the same connector. Meanwhile, Apple has continued to use Lightning on the iPhone, although it has released some USB-C devices, such as the iPad Pro.

Now, according to Reuters, the European Commission is ready to impose an ultimatum on Apple, with legislation that will impose a single charger on mobile phones and other electronic devices in all countries of the Union. The approach of letting the market go its own way has been met with Apple’s refusal to follow in anyone’s footsteps.

But just because the EU makes it mandatory to use USB-C does not mean that Apple will make an iPhone with USB-C. According to leaks, Apple’s pride would not allow that, and the company is preparing an iPhone without ports , which would be charged wirelessly with MagSafe.

Sure, the MagSafe charger connects via USB-C, which would mean the death of Lightning, but at least Apple could say that it continues to do things its way, one of the great attractions of its brand.