After the European Union passed a law requiring all new electronic devices that charge from a plug to support USB-C, all eyes turned to Apple and its Lightning-powered iPhone. Now we have the answer: Apple has confirmed that the iPhone will move to USB-C.
In an interview with Joanna Stern at The Wall Street Journal’s Tech Live conference on Tuesday, Greg Joswiak, Apple’s senior vice president of global marketing, was surprisingly candid when asked about the future of USB-C on the iPhone: ; we don’t have a choice.”
However, it is clear that Apple is unhappy with this move. Joswiak noted that the EU Commission originally wanted micro-USB as a global standard over a decade ago, which would have blocked the development of both Lightning and USB-C had it been implemented. He believes that detachable cables have solved the problem of power adapter e-waste, and the forced use of USB-C will block future charging innovations.
“We think this approach would be better environmentally and better for our consumers if the government did not issue such directives.”
There have been persistent rumors of a “portless” iPhone that charges exclusively via MagSafe and wirelessly, but judging by Joswiak’s comments, this is likely to happen in a few generations. Once Apple releases iPhones with USB-C, it will likely continue to sell older generations of iPhone 13 and 14 Lightning phones as the law only applies to new devices.
Apple has already introduced USB-C to the entire iPad lineup (with the exception of the older ninth-generation model), Siri Remote, and all Macs. The main product left with Lightning ports are iPhone, AirPods, and Mac accessories, which are rumored to be replaced within the next year or two.
While the EU is giving Apple two years to comply, there are strong rumors that Apple won’t take the time to transition: the iPhone 15 is expected to ditch Lightning in favor of USB-C when it arrives in fall 2023.