I think the good outweighs the bad. There isn't much innovation or competition when it comes to charging. Apple introduced Lightning in 2012 and have basically done nothing with it (still slow AF).
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
EU Passes Law to Switch iPhone to USB-C by End of 2024
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
What if Apple come up with even better port than usbC like they did when they came with lightning while the standard was microusb ?!
Jesus Christ these laws begin to put convenience instead of technology improvements
Yes, you can force Apple to ditch the old lightning...but not force it for just usbC. Clear at the top of the EU are not people who understand how tech can move very fast and the laws must adapt to technology and not vice versa
Jesus Christ these laws begin to put convenience instead of technology improvements
Yes, you can force Apple to ditch the old lightning...but not force it for just usbC. Clear at the top of the EU are not people who understand how tech can move very fast and the laws must adapt to technology and not vice versa
While overdue, when does USB-D come about? 2025? Remember, C wasn’t even a thought when A and B were the standard and we went through the micro and mini heads. That’s the problem with regulating a standard. Technology doesn’t sit still on we would still have 8 track players in our cars.
Great news. Except the 15s will now be lightning for sure. Apple will wait until the 16. September 2024.
Could easily see Apple shipping a USBc model only in the EU too. Just to anger us.
Also, what happens when the port needs to change. Does the EU regulation cause another 8 year delay?
Could easily see Apple shipping a USBc model only in the EU too. Just to anger us.
Also, what happens when the port needs to change. Does the EU regulation cause another 8 year delay?
They started to look for ways to improve Lightning around 2014.
And USB-C is what came out, they largely contributed to it.
So embrace USB-C as the logical Lightning evolution.
Correct. Once again, EU politicians show how short-sighted they are and how they lack any understanding of tech.
Do you accept this cookie?
Wouldn't surprise me if only the EU market iPhone gets USB-C. A bit like how it's only US market iPhones which are eSIM
Switch to USB C but lose physical buttons and no more SIM tray for all countries...
Hopefully EU citizens will get charged even more for their USB-C version.
EU citizens love to complain to Apple about how goods are more expensive for them. Well guess what? You voted these politicians in who made the cost of goods higher through taxes and regulations. Don't complain to Apple. Complain to your politicians.
I actually think Apple will react by removing the port altogether and focus improving wireless charging. Does the EU mandate state it has to have a charging port?
Yea, EU will get iphones with usbC or no ports at all...and US will get the new shiny microUSBC with faster and even more reliable data transfers.....people who makes these laws in EU, are old farrts i think that they cannot even make an complete and forward thinking law
Last edited:
USB C is flimsier than lightening. Remember that most people are not pro photographers or YouTubers downloading hundreds of gigs regularly. The big issue is reliability. I think you have to replace the whole Samsung phone if the USB C port gets damaged with that little plasticky thing sitting in the middle of the port? Probably will be the same for iPhones.
Wireless charging will also need to be working across different brands so no MagSafe
I go car camping occasionally and I take Apple Watch, iPhone, latest iPad mini and latest Beats Studio 3 headphones.
All these items are the latest products of their type. I need a different cable for each.
All these items are the latest products of their type. I need a different cable for each.
The lightning port is essentially the same size as a USB-C port so it’s not as issue of saving space or whatever in the internal design. Apple are probably having issue with customers being able to buy USB-C chargers and accessories for significantly cheaper than they offer.
They will have to switch next year with iPhone 15 models or they will end up in a situation where they can only sell the iPhone 16 line in 2024 in the EU (not that I wouldn’t welcome some simplification/ rationalisation of SKUs tho…).
Would be interesting to see if this prompts a refreshed SE model (in ‘mini’ design???) so they have a low cost device for sale. Would really welcome an iPhone 15 mini with USB-C with iPhone 14 chip myself
Would be interesting to see if this prompts a refreshed SE model (in ‘mini’ design???) so they have a low cost device for sale. Would really welcome an iPhone 15 mini with USB-C with iPhone 14 chip myself
The world doesn’t revolve around u.
Lighting is an annoyance.
You lighting are the weakest link - good bye!
I’m still using my Lighting cable that came with my iPhone 6 on launch day… well over 2 years old.
The world doesn't revolve around USB-C either.
Is it accurate to call a directive a proposal? It's a type of legislation; not a suggestion. From the EU's own site about directives: "A "directive" is a legislative act that sets out a goal that all EU countries must achieve. However, it is up to the individual countries to devise their own laws on how to reach these goals."*![]()
The European Parliament today voted overwhelmingly in favor of enforcing USB-C as a common charging port across a wide range of consumer electronic devices, including the iPhone and AirPods, by the end of 2024.
[...]
The proposal, known as a directive, forces all consumer electronics manufacturers who sell their products in Europe to ensure that a wide range of devices feature a USB-C port. [...]
Article Link: EU Passes Law to Switch iPhone to USB-C by End of 2024
Anyhow, I'm a bit surprised that laptops have until 2026 to switch to USB-C charging port. Why such a long time lag?
*Source: https://european-union.europa.eu/institutions-law-budget/law/types-legislation_en
I wondered about the same thing too. LOL. USB-C is coming for the iPhone; I hope Apple sooner make the switch rather than later.
Bad wording in their statement. This won't solve a certain set of problems: namely, an 18W USB-C charger won't really help you charge a laptop and a 60W-rated cable won't help you charge something that draws 5 amps (and worse, could become a fire hazard)...
I'd be happy with this change as the only devices I now have that use lighting connectors are my iPhone and AirPods. It should also speed up data transfer, which would be especially useful if you use your iPhone for video or photography (prores and raw files can be huge). I wouldn't be surprised though if Apple go entirely portless, so you'd have to charge using wireless or MagSafe with data transfer only by wifi. Also I do remember some rumours from about a year or so ago about Apple using MagSafe for more than just charging, so that might suggest a portless iPhone too.