Apple did one thing extremely uncommon final week: It offered a concrete clue in regards to the iPhone’s future. Firm executives confirmed that Apple will adjust to the European Union’s mandate that every one telephones within the area undertake USB-C because the widespread smartphone charging port in 2024. Which means future iPhones — probably the iPhone 16 and probably the iPhone 15 — might want to shift away from the Lightning connector that is existed since 2012.
The transition to USB-C appears inevitable for the iPhone given the EU’s new necessities. Greg Joswiak, Apple’s senior vp of worldwide advertising and marketing, talking on the Wall Avenue Journal Tech Dwell convention, mentioned that the corporate has “no selection” and that Apple would “adjust to native legal guidelines” because it does around the globe. However that does not essentially imply the Lightning cable is turning into extinct simply but. The Lightning port could play an even bigger position in Apple’s lineup than you may count on, due to the multitude of equipment that also use it and the recognition of older iPhones.
It is no secret that USB-C has turn out to be more and more widespread on Apple merchandise. It is current on each iPad within the firm’s present portfolio aside from the ninth-generation iPad from 2021. You may discover USB-C ports on Apple’s MacBook Professional and Air lineup as effectively.
However shoppers and tech critics alike have been ready for USB-C to reach on the iPhone. An iPhone X that had been modified with a USB-C port even offered for $86,001 on eBay final yr. In spite of everything, why would not you need to use the identical wire to cost your iPhone, iPad and Mac? The EU’s new mandate represents a step towards an easier charging expertise in the long run. But there’s additionally an opportunity the transition interval might trigger some friction as shoppers doubtlessly bounce between chargers to energy new iPhones alongside legacy equipment.
There are a handful of merchandise that require a Lightning connection for wired charging, other than the iPhone. Such gadgets embody AirPods earbuds, the AirPods Max, the first-generation Apple Pencil (oddly the one mannequin that works with the brand new USB-C-equipped iPad), the Magic Mouse, Magic Trackpad and Magic Keyboard. Meaning homeowners of those gadgets may nonetheless discover themselves swapping cables in the event that they buy an iPhone with USB-C sooner or later.
Apple did not reply to CNET’s request for remark relating to whether or not it plans to retain the Lightning port on future variations of those merchandise.
It is also vital to keep in mind that not each iPhone shopper opts for the most recent mannequin. Apple usually reductions older variations as soon as a brand new iPhone arrives. Take its present lineup, for instance, which nonetheless consists of final yr’s iPhone 13 and 2020’s iPhone 12. Apple additionally saved the iPhone 11 within the lineup at a lower cost of $499 after introducing the iPhone 13 in September 2021. If Apple maintains that custom, there’ll probably nonetheless be some Lightning-powered iPhones in its 2023 lineup too.
Regardless that many patrons could flock to the most recent iPhone, there is a appreciable marketplace for older iPhones. The iPhone 11 was the fifth best-selling smartphone in 2021 despite the fact that it launched in 2019, in accordance with Counterpoint Analysis. Gross sales of the iPhone 11, iPhone SE and 4-year-old iPhone XR accounted for 15% of US iPhone gross sales within the March 2022 quarter, in accordance with Client Intelligence Analysis Companions.
Refurbished iPhones are additionally common, with Apple accounting for greater than 40% of the worldwide marketplace for secondary telephones, in accordance with a separate Counterpoint Analysis report. Contemplating all iPhones since 2012 cost by Lightning, it is protected to say that these buying refurbished fashions sooner or later will need to hold on to their Lightning cables. That is notably related contemplating demand for refurbished telephones elevated 15% in 2021 as prospects seemed to keep away from excessive costs and make extra sustainable shopping for choices, Counterpoint additionally reported.
Individuals may be inclined to carry onto their present telephones for longer as inflation cuts into different each day bills. International smartphone shipments are anticipated to say no 6.5% in 2022 as inflation has weakened demand, in accordance with the Worldwide Knowledge Company. The typical age of traded-in smartphones has additionally reached three and a half years for the primary time, in accordance with Assurant, an insurance coverage supplier that additionally helps firms develop gadget trade-in applications. The extra legacy iPhones stay in use, the extra Lightning cables will stay in circulation.
Over the long run, the transfer to USB-C might be an enchancment for iPhone homeowners. The change will make it attainable to cost most up-to-date iPads, Macs and finally iPhones with a single cable — which is exactly why the EU made USB-C necessary within the first place. The swap additionally comes at a really perfect time contemplating iPhones have gotten much less reliant on wired connections due to enhancements in wi-fi charging, the elevated reputation of Bluetooth equipment and Apple’s new MagSafe connection system.
However transitions like these take time. And there are nonetheless many unanswered questions on how Apple will adjust to the EU’s choice. For instance, we do not know whether or not Apple will make the swap to USB-C in 2023 or if it’ll wait till 2024. We do not know if Apple will use USB-C particularly for European iPhones or if it’ll turn out to be the usual globally.
What does appear clear, nonetheless, is that the arrival of a USB-C iPhone could also be a step towards utilizing one common cable for all the things. However it will not occur in a single day.
