Apple might replace the lighting port with a USB Type-C port in its next line-up of iPhones. The marketing lead added that charging bricks with detachable cables solved the issue of standardization, claiming the switch to USB-C would create a lot of e-waste as people are pushed to buy new cables and discard the old ones. The European Union voted to enforce a common charging standard on gadgets such as smartphones by the end of 2024. Now, Apple has confirmed for the first time that it will be adopting the technology. The Europeans are the ones dictating timing for European customers.” The European law says that Apple will have to switch by Autumn 2024, likely giving Apple another generation of iPhone devices before it makes the switch. It may be that 2024’s iPhone model makes the switch, or it may be saved for 2025.
Apple will have to comply with a European Union law that mandates electronic devices have a common charging standard — known as USB-C — the company’s marketing chief confirmed. The ministers from European member states gave the final approval to the common charger law which means that by 2024, electronic devices will need to support USB-C charging. Apple’s iPhone uses its proprietary Lightning charger. Under upcoming EU law, the iPhone would need to support USB-C.
