“Apple’s USB-C Limitations Could be Challenged by EU, Threatening iPhone 15 Sales”

The long-anticipated transformation of iPhones in the form of the deployment of modern USB-C should already arrive with the arrival of iPhone 15. However, it turned out that EU representatives have objections to the (possible) approach of Apple several months in advance. Several different sources have appeared on the Internet, including the well-known analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who claim that Apple will artificially limit the possibilities of the newly deployed USB-C in connection with accessories. iPhones will have USB-C, but their maximum potential, be it data transfer speed or charging power, could be limited by Apple itself. The latter would sell licenses to use the full potential to accessory manufacturers under the MFI certification, i.e. “Made for iPhone”.

Cables w no MFI will be software limited in data and charging speed

— ShrimpApplePro 🍤 (@VNchocoTaco) February 28, 2023

LY iTech is the primary beneficiary of the transition to USB-C for the iPhone 15 series and LY iTech is the primary beneficiary of the transition to USB-C for the iPhone 15 series and Apple’s significant increase in 20W USB-C charger shipment estimateshttps://t.co/OpRcgorn9a

— Ming-Chi Kuo (@mingchikuo) March 21, 2023

The move was opposed by Thierry Bretton, the EU’s internal market commissioner, who warned Apple against similar intentions. German daily zeit.deto which he cited macrumors.com, refers to a letter stating that artificially limiting Apple’s USB-C accessories would not be allowed by the EU and would result in a ban on the sale of iPhones in the EU market. We will probably find out how Apple approaches this challenge and whether it will reconsider its intentions with MFI certification in the second half of this year, when the new iPhones will be introduced.