India wants Apple to ship older iPhones with USB C port, company says that will be difficult

The Indian government is urging Apple to reintroduce USB C with older iPhones, a move that the tech giant claims could impede its local production targets. Here is the full story.

The Indian government is urging Apple to reintroduce older iPhones with USB C port, a move that the tech giant claims could impede its local production targets. This development comes as India considers adopting the European Union's directive to mandate universal USB-C charging ports for existing smartphones, with discussions underway to implement the requirement by June 2025, following the EU's deadline by six months.

While major players like Samsung have committed to complying with India's plan, Apple is actively seeking an exemption or delay. Unlike its counterparts, Apple has historically employed a proprietary lightning connector port for its iPhones. The EU estimates substantial consumer savings of around $271 million through the adoption of a standardized charger, aligning with India's goals to reduce electronic waste and enhance user convenience.

In a closed-door meeting on November 28 chaired by India's IT ministry, Apple presented its case, requesting that existing iPhone models be exempted from the proposed regulations. The company expressed concerns that adhering to the regulations would hinder its ability to meet production targets outlined in India's production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme. The PLI initiative, a crucial project under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, offers fiscal incentives to electronic manufacturers for investments and increased phone sales annually. Apple's suppliers, notably Foxconn, have leveraged the PLI scheme to expand iPhone manufacturing in India.

During the meeting, Apple's regulatory and product compliance executives underscored the challenges of meeting PLI targets if regulations were applied to earlier iPhone models. In India's price-sensitive market, consumers often prefer purchasing older iPhone models, which tend to become more affordable with each new model release. The proposed shift to a common charger for older iPhone models could potentially impact Apple's sales targets in the country, Prabhu Ram, head of the Industry Intelligence Group at CyberMedia Research suggested.

The EU's charging port regulations are scheduled to come into effect in December 2024, with India aiming for compliance by June 2025. Apple assured Indian officials that it could meet this timeline if existing models were exempted. However, the company indicated that without an exemption, an additional 18 months beyond 2024 would be necessary to comply with the regulations, citing potential difficulties in meeting production goals within the specified timeframe.

Published By:
Ankita Garg
Published On:
Dec 6, 2023