Top Lightning-Based Apple Products That Must Switch to USB-C by 2025 for EU Sale - MacRumors
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Top Lightning-Based Apple Products That Must Switch to USB-C by 2025 for EU Sale

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Earlier today, the European Parliament voted in favor of enforcing a standard charger across all smartphones and a wide range of consumer electronic devices by the end of 2024, including new products released by Apple thereafter.

iPhone 15 to Switch From Lightning to USB C in 2023 feature
The new rule will directly and most heavily impact Apple, which across a wide range of products, continues to use a decade-old port. Below, we've listed some of the most popular Apple products that currently feature Lightning but will have to adopt USB-C if newer models go on sale in 2025 or later to comply with the new law.

  • iPhone (the first iPhone with a USB-C port is actually rumored to be next year's iPhone 15)
  • Entry-level iPad: The only iPad that currently still features a Lightning connector
  • AirPods Charging Case: All AirPods cases continue to feature the Lightning port
  • Accessories: MagSafe Battery Pack, Magic Keyboard, Magic Trackpad, Magic Mouse, EarPods, and Beats products

Apple introduced the Lightning port in 2012 as part of the iPhone 5 redesign, promising improved durability and ease of use compared to the 30-pin connector used on previous iPhones. During its announcement in 2012, Phil Schiller called the Lightning port a "modern connector for the next decade."

While Apple has chosen to bring USB-C to many of its iPad models, it has for the most part stuck with Lightning for its most popular products. Meanwhile, the rest of the industry has overwhelmingly moved to USB-C. A majority of Android flagship smartphones feature USB-C, and the port has become the standard for consumer products for makers and customers alike.

Tags: European Union, Lightning, USB-C

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Top Rated Comments

GeoStructural Avatar
GeoStructural
49 months ago
ALL OF THEM SHOULD. Lightning was nice when it came out, but it is basically USB from 1996. The file sizes we use today, the expectations of interoperability, power delivery, etc. have rendered Lightning obsolete years ago.

And stop being innocent and defend Apple “this will stifle innovation”. No! Any consortium or corporation can come up with a better connector any time. Apple keeps Lightning around because they make money out of it, end of the story.

Edit: Replies say that this means we will be stuck with the superior USB-C until the law is updated. I don't think that would be any worse than the status quo of being stuck with Lightning for so long.
Score: 55 Votes (Like | Disagree)
W
Woyzeck
49 months ago
Glad the EU handles these things according to consumer interest. They did the same with electric charging ports for cars and the result is that you can charge your car in Europe everywhere and all proprietary connectors are gone.
Score: 42 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AirunJae Avatar
AirunJae
49 months ago
I'm ready to have everything on one port. Lightning has its benefits, but Apple kept it on USB 2.0 speeds, so it's time to go.
Score: 29 Votes (Like | Disagree)
berrymetal Avatar
berrymetal
49 months ago
Add the Apple TV remote to the list!
Score: 27 Votes (Like | Disagree)
S
singularity0993
49 months ago
I don’t get why some people defend Apple for keeping the Lightening port. Do they like to carry separate cables for their iPads & Macs and iPhones & AirPods?

Even Apple’s own product lineup is using different ports, how isn’t this annoying? I’m glad EU is pushing for standardization.
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
S
Sciomar
49 months ago
I would like Apple to go to USB C for everything, it would make it easier for keeping cords around, but I do not support such government overreach.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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