New iPhone, new charger: Apple bends to EU rules

 When it debuts on September 12th, Apple's newest iPhone will almost surely contain a USB-C charging port.

The firm's phones currently use its proprietary Lightning adaptor, unlike rivals, including Samsung.

A European Union law requires phone manufacturers to adopt a common charging connection by December 2024 to save consumers money and cut waste.

Despite the fact that the bulk of its new products, including the most current iPad, now use USB-C, Apple has rejected the EU rule.

 A spokesperson for Apple told BBC News in September 2021, when it was first introduced, "Strict regulation mandating just one type of connector stifles innovation rather than encouraging it, which in turn will harm consumers in Europe and around the world."

Lightning to USB-C adaptors are already available from other electronics brands including Amazon, and all iPhones since the iPhone 8 which launched in 2017 have supported wireless charging.

The Lightning cord, which costs £19 at the Apple store, may soon become obsolete as the current iPhone 14 appears to be the company's final product to exclusively utilize it.

Although it is unknown if the gadget would receive a worldwide upgrade, the tech titan is unlikely to create a new version of the phone specifically for the European market.

Graphic showing the most common charging connectors - type C USB, Micro USB and Lightning

The new iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro smartphones, which are slated to be announced next week at the company's annual fall event, are expected to benefit from these enhancements.

 According to a report by Bloomberg News, two benefits of this change for users are faster download speeds and the ability to  charge iPads, Macs and iPhones simultaneously.

The standard charging guidance of the EU states that a number of "small and medium-sized portable electronic devices" are covered, including:  

mobile phones

tablets

e-readers

mice and keyboards

GPS (global positioning system) devices

headphones, headsets and earphones

digital cameras

handheld videogame consoles

portable speakers.

Any of these charged using a wired cable will have to have a USB Type-C port, regardless of who makes the devices.

Laptops will also have to abide by the rules but manufacturers have longer to make the changes.