Apple has officially released the new iPhone 15. Although the iPhone 15 has not yet been officially released, Apple’s official type-C data cable has been launched on the official website. The price is as high as 145 yuan, which is a huge profit. In doing so, Apple is obviously challenging the EU and may usher in the Heavy penalties for coming to the EU.
Apple's past practices prove its greedy nature. In the mobile phone industry, it is the only company that forces the use of its own lighting data cables. Later, Apple stopped giving away data cables randomly on the grounds of environmental protection, forcing consumers to pay extra for them. This It is exposed that environmental protection is just an excuse for Apple, and making money is its purpose.
Apple does this because its accessories are hugely profitable. A universal data cable for Android phones generally only costs more than 10 yuan, while Apple's lighting data cables cost as much as 100 yuan. Moreover, the lighting interface has long lagged behind, and the data transmission rate and charging power are only 10 yuan. A fraction or a few tenths of a type-C data line.
The EU has long been dissatisfied with Apple's greed, so it asked Apple to switch to type-C interface a few years ago. Last year, it introduced relevant legal regulations against Apple. Under the strong request of the EU, Apple finally introduced it on this year's iPhone 15. With the type-C interface, the industry thought Apple had really compromised. However, the official release of the iPhone 15 now proves that Apple is still playing tricks.
Apple’s little trick is to add an encryption chip to the USB-C data cable, so that only data cables certified by Apple’s MFI can charge the iPhone 15. Apple’s official USB-C data cable is still priced at as high as 145 yuan, which is The price of lighting data cables is about the same. This is just changing the soup without changing the medicine.
Such a little trick by Apple is likely to lead to heavy fines from the European Union. The European Union has previously stated that the type-C interface of the iPhone 15 must be a universal interface and is not allowed to use encryption chips. Obviously, Apple now treats the EU's requirements as air, which will lead to The EU is angry.
In fact, some countries in the EU have already taught Apple a hard lesson. Apple has long only allowed iPhones to download apps from Apple’s official App Store, and they can only pay using Apple Pay. As a result, iPhone users not only receive a 30% commission when purchasing apps, but also pay with Apple. In-app service charges also require a 30% commission, and Apple makes a lot of money from this. Internet services only contribute 20% of Apple's revenue. However, industry insiders speculate that a large proportion of Apple's net profit comes from Internet services. After all, This is a very profitable business, collecting tolls.
The Netherlands was dissatisfied with Apple's domineering behavior, so it launched an antitrust investigation against Apple and issued a fine of 5 million euros per week. This eventually forced Apple to modify its regulations and allow iPhone users in the Netherlands to use third-party payment, with a commission. The cost has also been reduced from 30% to 15%. In addition to the Netherlands, Brazil has also imposed heavy fines on Apple. Brazil has given Apple two options: either provide free chargers and charging cables, or ban sales in Brazil.
Take the Netherlands and Brazil as examples. This time Apple is playing tricks on the USB-C data line, which may also trigger heavy fines from the EU. After all, Apple has compromised with the Netherlands and Brazil. It is impossible that the EU cannot conquer Apple, but it has previously When Apple faces heavy fines from Europe, most of them choose to pay to settle the matter. This time Apple’s approach is unclear whether the EU will still settle the matter by paying or require Apple to completely switch to a universal USB-C data cable.
Just when the iPhone 15 was released, Apple actually received bad news in the European market, that is, the iPhone 12 may be banned in France due to radiation exceeding legal standards. This seems to be quite bad news for Apple. , showing that Europe is indeed increasingly dissatisfied with Apple.
Apple has always taken an attitude of not paying much attention to the EU's dissatisfaction. Because of its relationship with the United States, the EU rarely takes measures to ban sales. As long as fines do not have a fundamental impact on the money-making business of American companies, the United States Companies generally choose to pay a fine to get rid of the problem. This was the case with Google and Qualcomm before. Apple may also want to pay a sum of money to get rid of the problem, right?