Apple has struggled to keep its proprietary Lightning connector on most devices, but with new EU laws it will be forced to support USB-C charging.
While many electronics and portable devices are migrating to USB-C connectors for charging and plug-and-play capabilities, Apple has stubbornly stuck with its proprietary Lightning charging ports on most devices. But that will change soon. The European Union has passed legislation requiring all electronic devices to use USB-C ports by 2024. With the law passed, Apple will have no choice but to comply and add USB-C connectors to its product line for years to come.
Apple responded to the decision after various legislatures in the European Union voted to advance legislation on unified ports on mobile devices and electronic devices, as reported by CNBC. According to the new law, all mobile phones, tablets and cameras sold in EU countries must have a USB-C charging port by the end of 2024.
Obviously we have to comply,” Greg Joswiak, Apple’s senior vice president of worldwide marketing, said at a recent Wall Street Journal Tech Live conference.
Source: Christian CREUTZ/European Union
It’s worth noting that Apple had seemingly started adding USB-C ports to its products with the iPad Air as early as 2020. However, analysts have suggested that with this new legislation, Apple could start rolling out USB-C in its iPhone products as early as the 2023 model. It could be further prioritized if similar legislation is passed in the United States, as previously done by Proposed by Senator Elizabeth Warren in July 2022.
In light of this, pressure from various legal bodies on Apple seems to have finally demanded that the company switch to USB-C connectors on some of its key products. Stay tuned for these key changes as Apple launches its next generation of products throughout 2023.
