New Delhi: Apple has conveyed to Indian officials that its local production targets may face obstacles if India insists on adopting the European Union’s (EU) universal charging port rule for smartphones, citing a delay in meeting production goals under India’s production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme.
India aims to implement the EU’s regulation, requiring smartphones to feature a universal USB-C charging port by June 2025, aligning with a six-month lag behind the EU deadline. However, the push for a common charger on older iPhone models in India may pose challenges, as consumers tend to favour more affordable older models.
Major manufacturers, including Samsung, have agreed to comply, Apple is resisting due to its long-standing use of a proprietary lightning connector on iPhones. The EU has reported an expense reduction of $271 million for consumers upon adoption of the USB-C type charger, a move India supports due to its potential reduction of e-waste.
In a closed-door meeting held recently, Apple urged India to exempt existing iPhone models from the rule, Reuters reported. Apple did not provide a specific quantification of the production impact during the meeting, and the IT ministry will review the request before making a decision.
India, viewed as Apple’s next growth frontier after China, has seen an increase in iPhone production, with estimates suggesting 12-14% in 2023 and possibly up to 25% in the following year. Apple’s market share in India has risen to 6%, up from 2% four years ago.
The EU’s charging port regulations come into effect in December 2024, and India is aiming for compliance by June 2025. Apple proposed that it could meet this timeline with exemptions for existing models but would need an additional 18 months beyond 2024 if not granted.
