Apple is expected to reveal the iPhone 15 soon and ahead of that, there are expectations that the changes could be significant compared to previous devices. One of the major changes that the smartphone could have is ditching its iconic charger.
Apple iPhone 15 is Rumored to be Letting Go of the Lightning Charger, Which Could Be the Biggest Change Ever
According to the story by CNN, the Apple iPhone 15 was heavily rumored to be letting go of the proprietary Lightning charger. This came as certain countries required Apple to adopt universal charging.
It was noted that the change could help improve the charging process when it comes to different devices as well as brands. This decision, if final, comes just a year after a vote was made by the European Union to approve new requirements for Apple.
Smartphones are Required to have USB-C Chargers by 2024
These requirements include users having to use USB-C charging for smartphones, tablets, portable speakers, digital cameras, as well as other devices. This comes as the change was approved for it to be in effect by 2024.
It was noted that the law is the first of its kind and would ensure that users would be able to mix and match different devices with different chargers no matter the manufacturer. This means iPhone users might be able to use different branded chargers despite not being an Apple brand.
Apple Previously Added USB-C Capabilities to the Previous iPads and MacBooks but Not the iPhone
Analyst Ben Wood at CSS Insight noted that the best disruption when it comes to the iPhone design would be this dramatic change. However, this isn't the first time that Apple decided to add USB-C capabilities to its gadgets.
An example of an Apple device that packed the USB-C was its iPads and MacBooks since in the past, these devices sometimes used a standard USB-C charger and not the Lightning charger. Despite this, the company has been trying to push back when it comes to changing the iPhone's charging connection.
Apple Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing Greg Joswiak Shares a Statement
According to Mac Rumors, Greg Joswiak, the senior vice president of worldwide marketing at Apple, defended the Lightning charger due to its value and ubiquity. He highlighted how the charger was designed for "faster device charging" but said that they still needed to comply with the new changes.
He noted that the company didn't have any choice but to comply with the local laws. However, he noted that without the government's perspective, it would've been better for the company environmentally as well as being better for their customers in general.
It was also noted that the decision by the EU comes as part of their efforts to minimize e-waste despite possibly generating more in the short term as the Lightning cables would be phased out. Despite Apple voicing out its environmental concerns regarding the decision on Lightning chargers, the changes will still push through.
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