Apple is requesting Indian users to stop using iPhone’s older chargers. The Central government is evaluating the possibility of mandating a common charger for most devices.
Apple has requested that the Indian government exempt iPhone owners from using USB-C. The request was made because the Centre considers legislating a common charger for most devices.
Last month, the tech giant met with IT Ministry officials and told them that if such a rule is implemented in India, which sounds similar to the EU’s proposal to require devices with universal charging ports, it may hinder its domestic manufacturing plans, a reliable source told IANS.
Apple may miss PLI (product-linked incentive) targets if such regulations are applied on older iPhones.
Chairman of India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA) Pankaj Mohindroo told IANS that the sector fully supports the government’s uniform charging port legislation to decrease e-waste and improve living.
Mohindroo added, “All new mobile phones marketed in India have Type-C USB ports for charging. We are working with MeitY to simplify the transition of all notified products such mobile phones, laptops, and tablets, which will be regulated.”
The latest iPhone 15 has USB-C.
The latest iPhone 15 series has a USB-C port, and Apple Inc. says “the design of the earlier products cannot be changed”.
Since most people use older iPhone models, industry insiders say Apple has been bound to them.
IANS said CMR Head-Industry Intelligence Group Prabhu Ram: “An early transition to USB-C, including on older-gen iPhones, could potentially strain Apple’s supply chain and hit its fortunes.”
The Department of Consumer Affairs met with industry officials in August 2023 to consider mandating a common charger for most gadgets.
The ICEA and other industry stakeholders discussed a USB-C charging port for cellphones in the meeting with Secretary Rohit Kumar Singh.
The charging port ecology has been rationalized, with 375 million feature phones using micro-USB and 500 million smartphones utilizing USB-C, according to Mohindroo. Bluetooth speakers and hearables/wearables are also switching to USB-C for higher-end devices.
The government plans to hold a panel to discuss a universal charger for all electronic gadgets.
Conclusion
As the Central government considers requiring a standard charger for most gadgets, Apple has asked the Indian government to exempt iPhone owners from using USB-C. Similar to the EU’s proposal to mandate smartphones with universal charging connections, Apple told officials that imposing such a requirement in India could hinder its local production aspirations. Apple may miss Product-Linked Incentives (PLI) targets if such laws are applied to older iPhones. The government and the Indian Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA) support a uniform charging port regulation to eliminate e-waste and improve life. The industry is collaborating with MeitY to ease the transition of all declared products under the legislation. The government plans to hold a panel to discuss a universal charger for all electronic gadgets.
