iPhone users’ long-awaited wish is about to come true. Speaking at the 2022 Wall Street Journal conference in Laguna Beach, California, Apple’s marketing chief Greg Joswiak confirmed that the company is going to replace iPhone’s Lightning connector with the USB-C charging port in compliance with the EU’s new common charger law.
After European Parliament’s months-long effort, the European Council gave final approval to its “Radio Equipment Directive” earlier this week to adopt USB-C charging port in all small and medium-sized electronic products to offer convenience to consumers and reduce e-waste.
Under the new directive, manufacturers have to make the switch in their mobile phones, tablets, e-readers, earbuds, digital cameras, headphones and headsets, handheld videogame consoles, and portable speakers that are rechargeable via a wired cable by the Autumn of 2024. After 40 months into effect, the law will also be applicable to laptops.
Apple to introduce USB-C iPhone before or by Autumn of 2024
Apple has transitioned the latest Macs, iPads, AirPods Pro 2 case and Siri Remote to USB-C connectors but delayed its adoption in the new iPhone 14 series for unknown reasons. It is speculated that since the tech giant makes a lot of money with the MFi (Made of iPhone/iPad) program for certified accessories, it did not switch iPhones to USB-C ports.
Thanks to the EU, that is going to change.
According to Bloomberg, “Joswiak said that the company will comply as it does with other laws. He declined to specify when the iPhone may get the charger to replace Lightning.” Joswiak also talked about the company’s years-old contention with the EU over chargers. He said:
“Apple and the EU had been at odds over chargers for a decade, recalling how European authorities once wanted Apple to adopt Micro-USB. He said that neither Lightning — the current iPhone charging port — nor the now-ubiquitous USB-C would have been invented if that switch had occurred.”
At the conference, he also dismissed the vitality of the metaverse, and Apple’s senior vice president of software engineering, Craig Federighi discussed how the Android version of iMessage would limit innovation, touch screen tech on Mac, and the benefits of returning to the office for Apple.
Apple’s Craig Federighi and Greg Joswiak (@gregjoz) join @JoannaStern at #WSJTechLive to discuss products, privacy and power at the tech giant https://t.co/fNo2JGwMB4 https://t.co/aGrTlZrUo4
— The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) October 26, 2022
