Apple is expected to debut its iPhone 15 lineup Tuesday at the company’s annual September keynote event, and it could introduce the biggest change to the phone’s design in 11 years. The press event, which
Apple teased with a “wonderlust” tagline, will take place at the company’s headquarters in Cupertino, California, and will be livestreamed on its website, starting at 10 a.m. local time.
Although the annual iPhone event has become formulaic over the years, announcing incremental changes to battery life, camera system and displays, this year Apple is expected to introduce USB-C charging to its smartphones for the first time. The change could ultimately streamline the charging process across various devices and brands.
(US) – Apple is gearing up to release the iPhone 15 September 12, 2023, and it’s widely anticipated to bring a significant change.
The iPhone 15 is strongly rumored to abandon Apple’s proprietary Lightning charger in favor of USB-C charging, a move that marks a milestone for the company in embracing universal charging.
This shift has the potential to simplify the charging process across various devices and brands.
This change comes less than a year after the European Union approved legislation mandating that smartphones, tablets, digital cameras, portable speakers, and other small devices must support USB-C charging by 2024.
This groundbreaking law aims to reduce the number of chargers and cables consumers need to deal with when purchasing a new device.
It also allows users to mix and match devices and chargers, even if they come from different manufacturers.
Apple weighs switching to USB-C for iPhone charging
While this shift may seem like a significant disruption to iPhone design, it’s not entirely unprecedented, as Apple has previously adopted USB-C charging for its iPads and MacBooks.
However, the company has been hesitant to make the same change for the iPhone.
Apple’s senior vice president of worldwide marketing, Greg Joswiak, emphasized the value and prevalence of the Lightning charger last year but acknowledged that compliance with the EU mandate was necessary.
This decision reflects broader efforts to address electronic waste, even though it may initially result in more e-waste as people phase out their Lightning cables.
Aside from environmental concerns, Apple has financial incentives to resist this change.
The company introduced the Lightning charger in 2012 alongside the iPhone 5, generating revenue not only from selling Lightning cables but also from third-party accessories through its Made For iPhone program.
Moving to USB-C would mean relinquishing some control over its ecosystem.
The transition to USB-C may not be the sole reason for consumers to upgrade to iPhone 15 models, but it could influence those who have been hesitant due to charging limitations.
While the new devices are expected to come with a USB-C cable in the box, USB-C is already widely used in various devices, including Apple’s iPads and MacBooks, making charging wires readily accessible.
Wireless charging is an alternative, but it’s currently slower than wired charging, so it may not replace wired charging anytime soon.
