 |
| Apple finally acquiesces to the use of USB-C ports in iPhones |
An Apple executive has admitted that the company has no choice but to follow EU guidelines on replacing the charging port on upcoming iPhones.
The European Union requires that all portable electronic devices sold in its countries use standard USB-C chargers by 2024. Brussels estimates that this will reduce e-waste by 11,000 tons per year and save consumers €250 million per year.
USB-C chargers are already common in competing Android smartphones. However, Apple still uses a special type of charging cable for iPhones and headphones, which the company calls Lightning technology.
"Of course we have to comply, we don't have a choice," said Greg Josiak, Apple's senior vice president of marketing.
He said at the Wall Street Journal conference that the decision will have the opposite effect of reducing electronic waste, as millions of existing iPhone cables will gradually become unusable. "This approach could have been better from an environmental point of view and for our customers because we don't have a government to oblige us," he added.
To reduce packaging and waste, Apple has stopped selling new charging cables for its iPhones. The company has previously pushed for European standards, arguing that it would limit innovation in electronic charging technology.
Joswiak declined to say when Apple started using USB-C ports in iPhones, but said that "Europeans dictate the schedule for European customers."
He also declined to say whether Apple would change phone charging technology outside the European Union. Analysts say Apple should eventually switch to USB-C charging cables for all future iPhones.
Apple in particular has switched Mac computers, many iPads, and other accessories to USB-C technology instead of Lightning technology.
The UK government said in June that it would not force tech companies to follow similar rules.