EU Law That Could Force the iPhone to Switch to USB-C to Be Presented Next Month

Apple may be forced to remove the Lightning port from the iPhone in favor of USB-C, according to legislation expected be presented by the European Commission next month, Reuters reports.

Apple Prefer Lightning Over USB C Feature
The legislation would establish a common charging port for all mobile phones and other relevant devices in all European Union countries. The move is expected to primarily affect Apple, since many popular Android devices already feature USB-C ports.

In 2018, the European Commission tried to reach a final resolution on the issue but it failed to come into law. At the time, Apple warned that forcing a common charging port on the industry would stifle innovation and create electronic waste as consumers were forced to switch to new cables.

A European Commission impact assessment study conducted in 2019 found that half of all charging cables sold with mobile phones had a USB micro-B connector, 29 percent had a USB-C connector, and 21 percent had a Lightning connector. The study suggested five options for a common charger, with various options that cover ports on devices and ports on power adapters.

Last year, the debate was reignited as the European Parliament overwhelmingly voted in favor of a common charger, citing less environmental waste and user convenience as the main benefits.

The executive branch of the European Union is currently drafting the legislation, according to sources speaking to Reuters, which is expected to be presented next month.

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Top Rated Comments

falkon-engine Avatar
55 months ago
The iPhone is the last high performance computing device in my house that uses lightning. Everything else is on usb-c. My work computer, my MacBook Pro, android devices, and even the iPad Pro. It would be nice to just have one cable type (usb-c) for all my devices.
Score: 59 Votes (Like | Disagree)
kerr Avatar
55 months ago
I like Lightning but I'd be happier only having to use USB-C to USB-C cables
Score: 53 Votes (Like | Disagree)
happydude Avatar
55 months ago
this would be great overall, though with flexibility for a new standard to be allowed as things progress. All in favor of standardized plug in systems - reduces e-waste and opens up competition for companies to make compatible cords. apple wasn't too concerned about their e-waste claim when they've changed their cords before. hollow argument by them.
Score: 44 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BC2009 Avatar
55 months ago
I think the move to usb-c is inevitable for iPhone now that iPad Pro went that way. What I don’t like is a law that forces companies to use a specific connection. It makes it impossible to move off that when something better becomes available. The only reason lightning exists is that Apple could not get the usb-c standardization process to move fast enough and they needed a smaller reversible connector for their iPhone 5. So lightning was born. And suddenly that caused the standardization committee to get off their collective butts because the reps on the committee from Apple’s competitors wanted a tiny reversible port like Apple now had.

If this law existed 10 years ago we’d probably all be using micro-USB still with usb-c being stuck in committee.
Score: 38 Votes (Like | Disagree)
macdos Avatar
55 months ago
Apple can talk the talk, but they never walk the walk. At the very core of their "business model" is incompatiblity with the world at large. Just like the rest of the US with its miles, ounces and gallons.
Score: 35 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Wanted797 Avatar
55 months ago
And like that Apple will drop the port entirely.

Annnd we’ll also be stuck on USB-c for more than a decade due to a law that will become outdated.
Score: 31 Votes (Like | Disagree)