Apple faces risk of early iPhone phase-out under new US rules
Apple faces risk of early iPhone phase-out under new US rules
https://vietnamnet.vn/en/apple-faces-risk-of-early-iphone-phase-out-under-new-us-rules-2512027.html
Publish Date: 2026-05-02 23:56:00
Source Domain: vietnamnet.vn
A proposed regulation from the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is sending ripples through the global technology industry, as it could force Apple and other smartphone manufacturers to change how their products are brought to the US market – and potentially limit the sales lifespan of some iPhone models to just two years.
The proposal took a significant step forward after receiving unanimous approval in a vote by the FCC on Thursday. If fully adopted, the rule would prohibit laboratories in China from testing electronic devices such as smartphones, computers, and cameras before they are sold in the US. Notably, the FCC estimates that around 75 percent of electronic devices currently sold in the US are tested in China.
The role of FCC certification in smartphones
Before a smartphone can be sold in the US, it must pass a series of FCC certification tests. These include evaluations of radio frequency emissions, network compatibility, and compliance with various technical standards.
This means that many devices, including iPhones, currently rely on testing results from Chinese laboratories to demonstrate compliance with US regulations. In effect, the global certification system depends heavily on China’s testing capacity.
The FCC stated that the move is intended to “penalize” laboratories in countries considered national security threats, including China. Instead, the agency aims to shift testing activities to laboratories in the US or allied countries, with a streamlined process.
Following the vote, the FCC will publish a document known as a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal Register. This will be followed by a 30 to 60-day period for feedback from businesses and consumers.
Major technology companies such as Apple, Samsung Electronics, and Google will have the opportunity to submit responses, objections, or proposed revisions. Not only smartphone manufacturers, but also laboratories, industry organizations, and foreign governments…
