The EU requires technology companies to standardize the way devices are charged. Apple also has to renew its charging cables.
Apple is facing a tight spot to comply with EU requirements. MONICA DAVEY
According to Die Zeit Commissioner responsible for the EU internal market Thierry Breton has given technology giant Apple a warning. The warning concerned Apple’s plans to limit the charging and data transfer methods of future iPhones, if this was not done with the company’s own products.
– Devices that are not compatible with common charger models are not allowed on the EU market, Breton states.
According to media information received by Breton, Apple is planning to use a certificate chip to charge the devices, based on which they could limit the charging power. This would mean that the user would have to buy a device intended for charging from Apple, if he intended to get full charging and data transfer speed.
Apple iPhones can currently only be charged with a separate lightning cable (right). Omer Faruk Ordulu / Alamy Stock Photo
In its new law, the European Union requires technology companies to identify the means of charging their devices. The purpose of this is to reduce the amount of electronic waste. The law enters into force at the end of 2024.
Apple will thus have to change their lightning charging cable to the more common USB-C format if they intend to continue operating in the EU market.
There is no certainty about the date of the reform
The company is now under pressure to renew its phones, but there is no certainty about the date of the renewal yet. It may be that bringing USB-C charging to iPhones is a last ditch effort from the company.
According to Appleinsider USB-C charging will most likely be in the iPhone 17, which will be released in 2025.
The iPhone 15 and 16 will be announced before the EU law enters into force. It is not yet certain whether Apple already complies with EU requirements in these models.