Apple could be forced to kill Lightning and adopt USB-C in iPhones

Apple tree could be forced to impale Lightning and adopt USB-C in iPhones

(Image credit: Future)

Update: A new rumor claims the iPhone 14 Pro will come up with USB-C connectivity.

The Lightning port on the new iPhone xiii remains a persistent annoyance considering the rest of the tech world, including the new iPad mini 6, have switched to USB-C. Information technology seems the European union has had enough of Apple sticking to its proprietary tech.

Equally reported by the New York Times, the EU has unveiled new legislation that would standardize telephone charging ports among phone manufacturers, requiring that all new phones apply USB-C from 2024 onward.

This could mean that the 2023 or 2024 iPhone would finally come with a USB-C port, in Europe at to the lowest degree. Granted, it would be airheaded for Apple to sell USB-C iPhones in Europe and Lightning iPhones everywhere else. Then, if this legislation passes, it could finer kill a proprietary port that was kickoff introduced in 2012.

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"Chargers power all our most essential electronic devices. With more and more devices, more and more chargers are sold that are non interchangeable or not necessary," said Thierry Breton, the European commissioner for trade in a press release. "Nosotros are putting an finish to that. With our proposal, European consumers will be able to use a single charger for all their portable electronics — an important footstep to increase convenience and reduce waste."

According to the Times, Apple tree is not a fan of the proposed legislation. Apple argues that switching to USB-C would effectively create more waste. "We remain concerned that strict regulation mandating merely i type of connector stifles innovation rather than encouraging information technology, which in plough will harm consumers in Europe and effectually the world," an Apple spokesperson told TechRadar.

Just that argument seemingly ignores the fact that USB-C has been standard for years across multiple devices, including many of Apple tree's own products. And considering Apple doesn't include a charger with its phones anymore and that the iPhone 13 line supports 20W charging speeds, lay consumers might get out to buy Apple's own 20W fast charging brick instead of using one they might already own.

Many consumers look at accuse ports every bit either iPhone or Samsung, not Lightning or USB-C. This Eu legislation would essentially unify charging, potentially lessening iPhone vs. Android port confusion.

Apple tree also contends that regulating one particular technology would stifle innovation. If the European union had mandated such a police force back in 2009, the statement goes, that might have prevented both Lightning and USB-C from taking off. Breton dismissed that every bit a stock response from tech companies any fourth dimension this type of legislation is proposed.

The proposal must exist voted on by the European Parliament and and so adopted by device makers, so information technology could exist some time before we see USB-C equally the standard. We expect more pushback past Apple in the concurrently.

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Imad Khan is news editor at Tom'south Guide, helping direct the day'due south breaking coverage. Prior to working at the site, Imad was a total-time freelancer, with bylines at the New York Times, the Washington Postal service and ESPN. Outside of piece of work, y'all tin can find him sitting blankly in front of a Discussion document trying desperately to write the first pages of a new book.