The inventor of the iPad believes that Apple should move the iPhone to USB-C, claiming that it is "the right thing" to do.
On Tuesday, the European Union passed a law requiring manufacturers of smartphones, tablets, cameras, and other consumer electronics to use USB-C to charge their devices.
A Twitter user asked Fadell if he believed that the EU's regulation would hamper future projects by Apple. The iPod inventor explained that he didn't believe that it would.
I can't see a problem. The world has converged on USB-C. The physical & user limits have been hit. Next up is wireless per, not a diff physical connection.
-- Tony Fadell (@tfadell) October 6, 2022
So I'm not too worried about this regulation. They're simply forcing Apple to do the right thing it's overdue frankly. https://t.co/COtiZNCtmn
In a following tweet, spotted by 9to5Mac, Fadell went on to explain that his concern is that Apple is taking a "monopolist-like position," rather than thinking about the technology itself.
Not in this case. This is only happening because Apple hasn't been doing the right thing. Period. This is about a monopolist like position not about technology. I hope after Apple is forced to change the regulations will be removed to allow innovation to continue. https://t.co/fkAk9yVtPn
-- Tony Fadell (@tfadell) October 6, 2022
The EU has not specified a date for USB-C adoption beyond the end of 2024. It also must be formally approved and published and will enter into force 20 days later.
Apple has previously pushed back against the law, claiming that broad regulation and conformity stifles innovation, rather than encouraging it.
It's a possibility that the iPhone may move to USB-C, even without the threat of regulation. Apple first introduced USB-C to its iPad Pro lineup in 2018. The European Union regulation specifies USB-C or all-wireless charging, and the US legislation that is working its way through discussion does not specifically specify USB-C.
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes that the 2023 iPhone 15 will soon abandon the Lightning connector and move to USB-C