iPhones Will Have Same USB Port As Android, Says Apple Executive

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Apple’s vice president of marketing, Greg Joswiak, said on Wednesday (26) that the next iPhones will come with the USB-C port, the same used by Android phones, for example.

“Obviously, we will have to comply with it. We have no choice,” said the executive, referring to the law passed by the European Parliament this month.

The statement was made during the Tech Live event of the American newspaper The Wall Street Journal. Joswiak, however, did not say whether the change would only apply to the European Union.

The approved regulation imposes a universal charger, with USB-C input, for smartphones, tablets and portable devices from the end of 2024.

The move will force Apple, which uses a proprietary input called Lightning, to modify iPhones. Newer Android phones, iPads and Macbooks already use the universal port

The change is expected to save at least €200 million (US$195 million) a year and reduce more than 1,000 tonnes of e-waste annually in the EU.

Joswiak explained that Apple has always preferred to use proprietary standards in its devices rather than being forced to adopt recommendations from lawmakers. The executive also argued that switching from Lightning to USB-C would generate a lot of garbage, not the other way around.

In Brazil, Anatel (National Telecommunications Agency) followed the European discussion and opened a public consultation between June and September for a proposal to standardize cell phone chargers with USB-C standard.

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