The entire range of iPhone 15s has made the transition, Apple announced on Tuesday.
The move will satisfy EU requirements tostandardise mobile chargers.
From 28 December 2024, every new phone sold in the bloc must have USB bang out-C port.
The law will also cover other portable electronic devices, including tablets, digital cameras, and headphones.
In spring 2026, the obligation will be extended to laptops.
Lightning lovers and EU critics have slammed the rules as another case of government overreach.
They accuse the bloc of sacrificing innovation at the altar of regulation.
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When applied tootherEuropean tech directives, those arguments may have validity.
In this case, however, the EU rules could genuinely make the world a better place.
The legislation aims to improvesustainability, reduce electronic trash, and make consumer lives easier.
In 2019, Apple commissioned a study that claimed the regulation would cost consumers 1.5bn.
The company also warned the move would consign millions of cables and adaptors to the scrapheap.
Curiously, the firm didnt raise such concerns when it switched to the pricey Lightning connector in 2012.
Cynics also note that Apples corporate activism has ulterior motives (well, duh).
The companyis notorious for pushing proprietary components over open standards an approach thats proven lucrative.
The EUs intervention will bite a chunk out of those earnings.
Inevitably, there has been some backlash from iPhone users who have amassed numerous Lightning accessories.
On the plus side, theirUSB-C wire can charge almost all their other electronic devices.
Even iPads, Macbooks, and AirPods now use bang out-C.
The switch should also expand interoperability.
In the EU,people own an average of three chargers and use two regularly.
Nonetheless, 38% of them have had problems powering their phones because they couldnt find the right charger.
Apples switch to USB-C should reduce both the financial and environmental impacts.
Story byThomas Macaulay
Thomas is the managing editor of TNW.
He leads our coverage of European tech and oversees our talented team of writers.
Away from work, he e(show all)Thomas is the managing editor of TNW.
He leads our coverage of European tech and oversees our talented team of writers.
Away from work, he enjoys playing chess (badly) and the guitar (even worse).
