Apple switched to the USB-C port on this year’s entire iPhone 15 series. This was mainly due to complying with the norms set by the European Union. The Indian government is also planning to go the EU route in making USB-C ports mandatory on all smartphones. This could pose a challenge that the Cupertino-based tech giant is not happy about. In a closed-door meeting chaired by India’s IT Minister, Apple has urged officials with solutions and the potential impact on production due to the regulation.
Apple may get hit in India due to EU’s USB-C law
The Indian government wants a universal USB-C charging port as it will help users and also reduce e-waste. The regulation is said to be introduced in June 2025, This is six months after the law gets implemented in the EU.
In the meeting, Apple officials said that implementing the mandatory USB-C rule would impact the company’s production targets set under the government’s production-linked incentive aka PLI scheme. The exact impact on the production target was not revealed. The Cupertino-based tech giant is seeking an exemption for older iPhones from the universal USB-C mandate. Apple assured that it can adhere to the June 2025 timeline but if older models are not exempted, the company wants the implementation deadline to be delayed. It would need an additional 18 months beyond 2024. Additionally, as per Reuters report, Apple told Indian officials that the design of the earlier products cannot be changed.
Seeking an exemption on older iPhones from the USB-C law is understandable as they are a popular choice among Indian consumers. India is a big market for Apple and the company has also been ramping its manufacturing efforts in the country.
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