Apple’s forthcoming iPhone model is poised to feature a USB-C charge port, a distinct departure from the proprietary Lightning adapter currently used in the company’s phones. This development seems likely in light of a European Union mandate that requires phone manufacturers to standardize charging connections by December 2024 as a measure to reduce waste and consumer costs.
While Apple’s latest devices such as the iPads have already adopted the USB-C, the tech giant had previously expressed opposition to this regulation. Upon the introduction of the mandate in September 2021, Apple contended that the enforced uniformity threatened innovation and could potentially harm consumers worldwide.
Nonetheless, Apple consumers have had access to Lightning-to-USB-C adapters from various electronics companies, including Amazon. Also, wireless charging has been supported by all iPhone models since the launch of the iPhone 8 in 2017. Hence, the unanimous adoption of USB-C in the upcoming iPhone 15—expected to be announced next week—might signal the beginning of the eventual phasing out of the Lightning cable.
Despite this speculation, it remains to be seen if this will be a universal alteration to the product, as it is unlikely that Apple would specifically revise its handsets for the European market.
The switch to the USB-C is expected to yield benefits such as enabling users to utilize a single charger for iPads, Macs, and iPhones, and facilitating faster download speeds, according to a report by Bloomberg News.
The EU’s common-charger rule applies to a broad array of “small and medium-sized portable electronics,” encompassing devices such as mobile phones, tablets, e-readers, mice and keyboards, GPS devices, headphones, headsets, earphones, digital cameras, handheld video games consoles, and portable speakers. All these devices, if charged using a wired cable, will need to accommodate a USB Type-C port, irrespective of the manufacturer.
Although laptops are also subject to this mandate, manufacturers have been granted a more extended period to implement the changes. The EU projects that this ruling would save consumers up to €250 million annually on superfluous charger purchases and reduce waste by 11,000 tonnes annually.
