Apple says it has ‘no choice’ but to add USB-C to iphones

Apple has said it will replace its Lightning connector with USB-C in future iphones sold in the European Union, in response to the new law making the port compulsory on phones and tablets.

Speaking at a conference held by Wall Street Journal, Greg Joswiak, Apple’s senior vice president of worldwide marketing, said: “Obviously, we’ll have to comply; we have no choice”.

The law, passed in October, forces manufacturers to build USB-C ports into all phones and tablets by autumn 2024. The EU claims this will save consumers up to €250m (about £215m) a year on “unnecessary charger purchases” and cut 11,000 tonnes of waste per year.

Apple is against the law, saying it will “stifle innovation” and cause an “unprecedented volume of electronic waste” because iphone users would throw away Lightning cables that are no longer needed.

Joswiak refused to answer whether Apple would include USB-C connections on phones sold outside the EU. In July, a UK Government spokesman said it won’t follow the EU rules, meaning the Lightning port would remain permitted in England, Scotland and Wales.

However, it would be banned in Northern Ireland under the terms of the Brexit agreement, which keeps the country inside the single market for goods.

But given the cost and challenges involved, it seems unlikely that Apple would make two versions of the iphone – one with USB-C inside the EU, and one with Lightning outside. Several ipad models already come with USB-C (see www.snipca.com/44017 for details).

The law also covers cameras, earbuds and ebook readers, and in 2026 will be extended to include laptops.