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by april_22 1392 days ago
The European Union will force Apple to ship iPhones with USB-C from 2024.

https://you.com/search?q=eu+usb+c+law

My guess is that they will remove all ports by then and completely switch to MagSafe

5 comments

> My guess is that they will remove all ports by then and completely switch to MagSafe

I've heard this repeated a lot and just don't get it. It doesn't make any sense to me from a product perspective- removing the port doesn't seem to get them anything. It's already pretty waterproof, it's already pretty slim (and I don't think the port is the limiting factor there anyway). I just don't get the upside. One could argue that they'll sell a _lot_ of magsafe accessories, but pucks don't don't provide the same flexibility as cords and they must know that.

Anyway, I've got a $100 bet with a friend going (placed Nov 2020): I think _a_ port will stay, and he thinks it'll be portless by the 2023. We'll see who's right!

They may also find another loophole: like make iPhone thinner than USB C, or certify it as a health tracker, or increase charging rate to 101 W. That technically moves iPhone into the laptop territory, and different regulations apply.

"Included devices: a larger range of small and medium-sized devices with power delivery up to 100 watts would be included under the scope of the directive, including e-readers, low-powered laptops, keyboards, mice, earbuds, screens, printers, portable navigations, smart watches, personal care devices and electronic toys (annex Ia Part I RED). Some products, such as smart watches, health trackers and personal care devices, could be exempted if they are too small to have a USB Type-C receptacle. By the end of 2026, the Commission would be required to assess and include other devices that can be charged with the USB Type-C under the scope of the directive."

https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/BRIE/2021/6988...

There is no way Lightning can deliver 101W, so for that one they would need to change the port anyway.
Easy. Call it Lightning Pro, with chargers starting at $99. Not included in the box, but you don't need it anyway because they already give you magsafe
the motherboard won't accept it
That would take a ton of courage
I second this. You can already develop on iPhone via Wi-Fi, so you don’t strictly speaking need to have ports any more.
That would be hilarious.