How Is Europe’s New Charging System Affects iPhone? Details Explained

With the launch of the Apple iPhone 14 series, all people are talking about the features of the new phone and how it differs from the previous ones. Amid this discussion, there are reports that Apple will be switching to a USB-C charging system with its upcoming iPhone 15. 

Analysts stated that Apple’s next iPhone will be equipped with USB-C charging following the new law passed in the European Union (EU).

Do You Know What Is The EU’s Common Charger Directive Means?

It was on Tuesday that the lawmakers in the European Parliament gave sanction to a law that stressed the need for electronics including tablets, cameras, and mobile phones sold in Europe to be equipped with USB-C charging ports by 2024. 

So far, Apple has been using its proprietary lightning chargers which are entirely different from the USB-C type chargers. But, as per the latest reports, there could be a major shift in this from the iPhone 15 series onwards, the next version of Apple’s flagship smartphone. 

Beyond these reports, rumors are rising that Apple is exploring and testing the USB-C charger type for its iPhone series which is the next new device in line if Apple continues to name it the same.

Bloomberg reported in May that Apple is testing its iPhones ditching the lightning ports in favor of USB-C type. The company is planning to make new adapters and if this happens, it would mark a second port change in iPhone’s history. 

Earlier this week, Ben Wood, chief analyst at CCS Insight said that “It is now inevitable that Apple will have to capitulate and transition to USB-C on the iPhone 15 when it arrives in 2023.”

In the follow-up comments to CNBC, Ben Wood added that “My thinking is that Apple has already moved to USB-C on MacBook and iPad Pro so the transition has started. iPhone 14 was quite iterative so iPhone 15 could be a bigger step in design. Therefore, it would be a good time to make the change.”

Will Apple make iPhone 15 With USB-C Charging Available Globally?

Lately, Bryan Ma, a technology industry analyst at IDC commented that if Apple shifts to USB-C chargers in the coming years, then US technology gina would make it available globally and not just in the European Union. 

On Wednesday, Bryan Ma told CNBC’s Squawk Box, Asia, that, “Most likely it would make sense that they get the scale out of moving to this common charger globally rather than having to make individual parts unless they think that they’re really making so much [money] off of those chargers and accessories and that sort of thing that it’s still worth it for them to maintain that separate.”

Bryan also added that in their manufacturing houses, Apple has already begun the testing and preparations to launch this major shift in a couple of years.

This change marks another important aspect of Apple charging ports coming in line with those of its competitors like Samsung. 

All this is based on the new European Union law that has been in the making for the last 10 years and is about to get a final stamp of approval this year. Such a move has been made by lawmakers stating that different chargers mean more e-waste. If we shift to a common charger, this waste can be reduced as people won’t have to buy a new charger when buying a new phone. 

CCS Insight’s Ben Wood said that “This is a victory for common sense. Although Apple has a huge installed base of lighting cable-powered devices, the ubiquity of USB-C across all consumer electronics products means that harmonizing on USB-C makes perfect sense.”