All current iPhone models come with Lightning, Apple’s exclusive proprietary power connection.
But that’s going to change because the European Parliament just passed a resolution that will make UCB-C effective by the end of 2024. The resolution has since been codified into EU legislation.
That implies a number of Apple products, including the iPhone and the well-known AirPods wireless earbuds, will be compelled to change.
“All cell phones, tablets, and cameras sold in the EU by the end of 2024 must include a USB Type-C charging port. From spring 2026, laptops will also be subject to the requirement “European Parliament statement All new phones, tablets, and other electronic devices must now include USB-C charging connectors, according to a new EU law that has received final approval.
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The new regulations will allow consumers to use a single charger for a wide variety of small and medium-sized portable electronic gadgets, eliminating the need for a different charger each time they buy a new device.
The preferred charging port in the EU is known as USB-C.
Since its introduction in the middle of 2014, this style of charging and data transfer connection has been incredibly popular.
Compared to Apple’s Lightning cables, this cable’s male end is somewhat wider and thicker, but it otherwise serves the same purpose.
However, USB-C ports are now widely utilised, whereas Lightning ports are only used on Apple products.
A number of Apple products, notably MacBooks and the iPad Pro, already include USB-C connections, as do the majority of premium Android phones today.
With the iPhone 11, Apple also added a USB-C tip to one end of the charger, although the phone’s port remained Lightning.
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Hot swap
Since the new ruling is a European Union directive, it only applies to goods sold in Europe.
However, it’s feasible that Apple will just adopt USB-C on a larger scale for manufacturing reasons, particularly in the US and the UK.
According to industry analyst Ben Wood of CCS Insight, “Apple will have to capitulate and switch to USB-C on the iPhone 15 when it launches in 2023.”
This represents a win for common sense. Even though Apple has a sizable installed base of lighting cable-powered devices, standardizing on USB-C makes perfect sense given its widespread adoption across all consumer electronics goods.
“Consumers in the UK will automatically receive USB-C regardless of whether the UK government mandates it or not. Manufacturers of consumer electronics will have no need to offer products with anything else.”
Current iPhone cables will no longer work with the new model due to the changeover, which will force users to purchase new spare leads if they decide to upgrade their handset.
Additionally, it would need buying an adaptor or changing any accessories with a Lightning port.
The Change
It would be Apple‘s third iPhone cable in a little more than 15 years.
Before abruptly switching to lightning connectors in 2012, Apple’s initial iPhones had a hefty 30-pin dock connector.
Everyone’s outdated charging cables became ineffective after the shift, and it might happen again.
Apple, which had previously spoken out against the plans, is hurt by the new EU directive.
In 2019, Apple’s Claire Darmon argued to the EU that “regulations that would drive consistency across the sort of connector installed into all devices freeze innovation rather than foster it.”
Such initiatives are excessively disruptive to customers and harmful to the environment.
