Apple’s iPhone 15 range will come with USB-C, replacing the Lightning port. However, recent leaks suggest that Apple plans to limit the charging and data transfer speeds of USB-C cables that are not certified by its Made for iPhone (MFi) program. This move has put Apple in dangerous territory as the European Union threatens to ban the sale of iPhones in member countries. According to Die Zeit, EU Industry Commissioner Thierry Breton contacted Apple, stating that “Devices that do not meet the requirements for the uniform charger are not approved on the EU market.” Although Apple can ignore this, the new laws for common charger regulation were passed in October 2022, with compliance becoming mandatory from December 2024, and apply only to devices released after that date. Despite this, Apple appears to comply with the change. Greg Joswiak, Apple’s senior vice president of worldwide marketing, said the company would comply with the change in an interview with the Wall Street Journal.
Aside from USB-C, the iPhone 15 range boasts of a curvier design, periscopic zoom camera, new Action button, and potential price hikes for Pro models. However, it looks like USB-C will be the main talking point. Rumors have it that the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus will be limited to USB 2.0 speeds, while the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max models will support Thunderbolt 3. Pros may also support output to monitors at 4K with more features coming in iOS 17. Forbes has already reported on the latest iPhone 15 Pro CADs showing that the Action button replaces the mute switch.
In summary, while Apple risks flouting EU Law by restricting USB-C charging and data transfer speeds for all cables not certified through its MFi program, they are taking steps to comply. The EU’s new laws for common charger regulation were passed in October 2022, and while Apple can still release the iPhone 15 with restricted USB-C speeds, the company seems to understand the gravity of flouting these laws.
