Apple is set to unveil its latest model, iPhone 15, on 12 September, and it is highly anticipated to feature a USB-C charging port. Unlike most of its rivals, Apple’s phones currently use a proprietary Lightning adapter. The move to USB-C aligns with a European Union law requiring phone manufacturers to adopt a common charging connection by December 2024 to reduce costs for consumers and decrease electronic waste.
While many of Apple’s recent products, such as iPads, have adopted USB-C, the company initially opposed the EU regulation. Apple argued that mandating a single connector type stifles innovation. However, the upcoming iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro devices are expected to mark the transition to USB-C.
This change will bring several benefits to users, including the ability to use a single charger for various Apple devices, such as iPads, Macs, and iPhones, as well as faster download speeds.
The EU’s common charger rule encompasses a wide range of small and medium-sized portable electronics, including mobile phones, tablets, e-readers, headphones, and more. Devices that rely on wired cables for charging will need to feature a USB Type-C port, regardless of the manufacturer. The regulation is estimated to save consumers up to €250 million per year on charger purchases and reduce electronic waste by 11,000 tonnes annually.
While it remains uncertain whether this change will be limited to the European market, it could signal the eventual end of the Lightning cable, a long-standing feature of Apple’s products.