This week, the European Commission shaken the iPhone world by announcing a new policy. All smartphones must adopt USB-C ports to charge their phones.
Apple doesn't offer a USB C iPhone. Apple has argued in the past to the European Commission that legislation would have a direct adverse impact on the hundreds of millions active devices and accessories used worldwide by our European customers. This would create an unprecedented amount of electronic waste and inconveniencing users.
Apple prefers Lightning over USB-C
Apple claims that switching to USB-C would be more wasteful than staying with Lightning. Customers would have to buy new adapters and cables, despite the fact Apple already has USB-C ports in its iPads and MacBooks. Apple has also managed to transfer these popular products without any major problems or customer revolts.
Apples argument is missing the fact that removing a Lightning port from an iPhone would not only create more ewaste (if Apples logic is true) but also inconvenience its customers. Apple would also lose revenue from any Lightning cable or accessory that is compatible with the iPhone. This includes the control Apple has over which hardware gets made and by whom.
Apple's MFi program is the only way to connect anything to an iPhone. Apple also takes a cut from every device.
You want to connect an external monitor? An Apple-approved adapter is required. You can import photos and videos from an SD Card or Flash Drive. An Apple-approved adapter. You will need a DAC in order to enjoy Apple Music's new high-resolution lossless audio. You will need either an Apple-approved USB dongle or an MFi device.
This is not true for Apple's USB-C-based products. They have a robust ecosystem that includes keyboards, displays, flash drives, and keyboards. Apple made this a point during its recent keynote, when it announced the new iPad Mini. You can charge USB-C iPads with any USB-C cable capable of providing enough power.
The European Commission could theoretically make the same thing for iPhones, by forcing the USB-C iPhone into existence that Apple has stubbornly refused to make. Apple may now be able to shift towards a completely portable iPhone, or accelerate its plans for one. The company may opt to not accept USB-C ports and instead shift customers to its proprietary charging methods.
This is the kind of solution that makes sense, it's almost an intentional loophole in EU policy. But when you think about how much a portless iPhone makes, if Apple doesn't want to defend its ecosystem control and accessory fees, you realize just how absurd.
It would be logical to switch to USB-C as it is used by almost every major tech product, including many Apple products like the recent MacBook and IPad ranges. An iPhone is the most widely used device in the world. A switch to USB-C will make it easier for millions of iPhone owners worldwide to charge their devices. USB-C could still offer similar waterproofing, data transfer and charging speeds to Lightning, as demonstrated by many Android phones and Apple iPads. The European Commission has decided to make the change.
Even though it makes sense for Apple to keep Lightning as the standard, it is a bit of a disappointment to those who prefer a more standardised charging system. Lightning is an established ecosystem, which millions of customers have cables for. It offers fast data transfer speeds and high charging speeds. It is waterproofing and, like USB-C, Apple gets both its licensing fees as well as ecosystem control.
A portless iPhone that is not compatible with MagSafe (or any other wireless standard) would be a confusing proposition. This would mean that millions of people would have to change to new chargers and generate tons of e-waste. All that effort and cost would result in a charging and data transfer network that is slower, less efficient, and larger than wired cables. Just compare the size of an Apple MagSafe cable or the smallest Qi wireless charger to a regular wired plug.
Apple could handle a switch from USB-C perfectly
Apple is a $2.4 trillion-dollar company. It would likely be fine without the Lightning cable fees. There are still many proprietary Apple chargers and technologies that can be licensed, such as MagSafe, AirPlay or Find My. Also, the rumored new magnetic notebook chargers may be available for licensing later in the year.
Profits aside, switching to USB-C means that iPhone owners would lose another part of their control over what they can do with their iPhones outside of Apple's carefully managed walled garden. Apple doesn't want to let that happen, as we've seen repeatedly.
