Highlights

• Apple’s strategy in India impacted by USB-C charging port law.
• Company seeks exemptions from India’s new tech regulations.
• India’s market growth is critical to Apple’s global production plans.
• Apple’s lobbying efforts aim to mitigate regulatory impacts.
• Cyclone Michaung temporarily halts iPhone production in Chennai.

Apple is getting into more than a few regulatory hurdles over the past year and now you can add India to the list of regions putting mandates on the Cupertino-based electronics giant.

The country is poised to implement a law that mandates the use of USB-C charging ports for all smartphones, including iPhones.

If that sounds familiar, that’s because it is but there is a slight twist to the tale.

We can thank the European Union’s decision to require USB-C ports for all smartphones to finally force Apple to drop the iPhone’s proprietary Lighting port.

This move has encouraged other countries to adopt similar measures including India.

Apple has seen a lot of growth in India but this new rule, which dictates all smartphones to have USB-C by June 2025, throws a slight wrench in Apple’s plans.

Apple’s Dilemma in India

Apple faces a few major challenges due to India’s proposed USB-C law:

Reliance on Older iPhone Models: A significant portion of Apple’s customer base in India consists of users who purchase older iPhone models.

These models, still equipped with the Lightning port, are popular because of being affordable while also being not far behind the current models in terms of performance.

The new law would prevent the manufacturing and sale of these models in India, potentially alienating a large segment of Apple’s market.

Manufacturing Volume Targets and Incentives: Apple’s operations in India are part of a broader strategy to diversify its manufacturing base outside China.

The company is going to benefit from the recent production-linked incentives (PLI) scheme, which incentivises local manufacturing with tax exemptions.

This new rule will mean Apple cannot make older iPhones thereby not getting the tax benefits and ultimately leading to higher production costs for Apple.

Growing Market Share: Finally, and more importantly, India is a rapidly expanding market for Apple, with sales and market share showing meteoric growth over the past few years.

Ming-Chi Kuo has put in an estimate that 12-14% of iPhones produced globally in 2023 will come from India, potentially rising to 25% next year.

Lower production and sales from the USB-C mandate will hamper Apple’s India expansion plans.

Apple’s Response: Seeking Exemptions and Delays

However, now Reuters has obtained a copy of a response to these mandates by Apple.

The company is reportedly lobbying the Indian government for exemptions or delays in enforcing the new law.

At a meeting with India’s IT ministry, Apple requested that existing iPhone models be exempt from the USB-C requirement.

The company has indicated that it would struggle to meet its production targets under the PLI scheme if forced to comply immediately with the USB-C mandate for all models.

Apple representatives have suggested that it could take them at least 18 months beyond 2024 to fully comply if existing models are not exempted.

We’ll have to see how the drama plays out eventually but you can sure that there will be a lot of back and forth between Apple and the Indian government.

We’ll give you more updates as and when we get them.

Chennai Cyclone Halts iPhone Production

In more recent news about Apple and India, severe weather conditions from Cyclone Michaung have led to a temporary halt in iPhone production at Foxconn and Pegatron factories near Chennai.

As per reports, the cyclone’s heavy rainfall has resulted in widespread flooding, prompting the shutdown of the city’s airport and causing major disruptions in the area.

However, there is no reason for worry just yet as Apple’s iPhone supply chain remains unaffected, according to statements from industry insiders to ET Telecom.

Apple’s planning includes maintaining a sufficient reserve of iPhone stocks in distribution centers.

Production is likely to resume as soon as the cyclonic activities cease.

FAQs

How is India’s new USB-C charging port law affecting Apple?

The law, which mandates USB-C ports in smartphones, challenges Apple by potentially halting the production and sale of older iPhone models in India that still use the Lightning port.

What is Apple’s response to India’s USB-C charging port requirement?

As reported by Reuters, Apple is seeking exemptions or delays from the Indian government, arguing that immediate compliance with the USB-C mandate would impact its production targets under India’s PLI scheme.

How significant is the Indian market for Apple’s global strategy?

India represents a rapidly growing market for Apple, with predictions by analyst Ming-Chi Kuo indicating that 12-14% of global iPhone production could come from India in 2023, potentially rising to 25% the following year.

What impact did Cyclone Michaung have on Apple’s operations in India?

Cyclone Michaung caused a temporary halt in iPhone production at Foxconn and Pegatron factories near Chennai due to flooding and airport shutdowns, but Apple’s preparedness with stock reserves has prevented any impact on its supply chain.

What devices the USB-C featured iPhone 15 series can connect to?

The USB-C connector on your iPhone can also connect to a variety of devices that are compliant with the USB-C standard, such as:

CarPlay compatible cars
External storage devices
Monitors and external displays
Microphones
External battery packs
USB to Ethernet adapters
SD cards using SD card adapters

What is a USB-C port?

USB-C, short for “Universal Serial Bus Type-C,” is a standardized connector and cable system widely used for data transfer, charging, and connecting various electronic devices.’

It features a reversible design, making it easy to plug in without worrying about orientation.

How does USB-C differ from previous USB connectors?

USB-C differs from older USB connectors (like USB-A and USB-B) in several ways: it’s smaller, reversible, capable of faster data transfer and charging speeds, and can support multiple functions like video output and audio.

Can I charge my other Apple devices with an iPhone 15 series USB-C port?

Yes, USB-C ports in the iPhone 15 series will support charging. Many modern devices, including smartphones, laptops, and tablets, use USB-C for charging.

The USB Power Delivery (PD) standard allows for fast and efficient charging.

Is USB-C backwards compatible with older USB devices?

USB-C devices are often backwards compatible with older USB-A and USB-B devices using the appropriate adapters or cables.

However, the performance will be limited to the capabilities of the older USB version.

Are there any potential issues or drawbacks with USB-C ports?

While USB-C is versatile and widely adopted, there can be compatibility issues with some older devices and cables.

It’s important to ensure that you have the right cables and adapters to avoid connectivity problems.

Additionally, not all USB-C ports support the same features, so it’s essential to check the specifications of your devices.

iPhone 15 charging slowly? How to fast charge iPhone with USB-C?

To fast charge iPhone 15, you’ll need a higher wattage charging brick.

The iPhone USB-C port can technically receive power up to 27 watt speeds, but practically speaking there are diminishing returns on charging speed above ~20-watts.

So, with a USB-C cable and an Apple 20 W USB-C power adapter, you can charge the iPhone 15 from zero to 50% in about 30 minutes, and from zero to 100% in under 2 hours.

Also Read: 10 Benefits the USB Type-C will bring to the iPhone 15 Series

Also Read: Apple’s iPhone 15: USB Type-C Cable In The Box To Reportedly Have Slow Transfer Speeds

Also Read: India to Now Use USB Type-C Port; Details Inside

Also Read: Apple iPhone 15 Series 2023: Leaked Prototype Images Show a USB Type-C Port For Charging