Due to the new rules being enforced on the EU, Apple must drop the Lightning port.
Greg Joswiak, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Marketing has confirmed that the iPhone will soon make an upgrade to USB-C port since “we have no choice.”
Joswiak as well as Craig Federighi, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Software Engineering, had a chat with the Wall Street Journal’s Joanna Stern yesterday where the topic of ports and cables was discussed. Watch the entire 35-minute interview below.
In the future, European Union will require all devices or tablets as well as cameras to support USB-C charging by the end of 2024. Based on Apple’s usual release schedule to newly released iPhone models, this implies that it is likely that iPhone 16 will need to come with a USB Type C port, though Apple may choose to switch in the coming year for an iPhone 15 model. iPhone 15.
Joswiak does not believe that a government being this “prescriptive” and enforcing a switch to USB-C on every device was correct decision as Joswiak claims that it will lead to an increase in electronic garbage. But, in the event of abide of the new regulations, Joswiak states, “obviously we’ll have to comply, we have no choice.”
If Apple isn’t willing to change its phone model and does not make the switch, it will not be able sell brand new iPhones within any EU countries that is not possible. Thus, Joswiak is correct in saying Apple has no alternative. While it may cause a number of Lightning cables and accessories eventually become obsolete In the long run, switching to USB-C everywhere will mean less e-waste generated. Recycling should also be encouraged.
