LONDON (AP) — Apple is ditching its Lightning cable and iPhone charging socket, falling in line with the rest of the tech industry by adopting USB-C, a more widely used connectivity standard. This is largely due to the EU’s common loading standard which will soon be implemented across the 27-nation bloc.
Here’s a look at the USB-C connector and what it means for consumers:
What is USB-C and how can I distinguish it from other plugs?
The first part of the abbreviation stands for Universal Serial Bus, and it replaces previous versions of USB cables used in everything from printers and hard drives to computer mice and Kindle readers.
The USB-C connector has an elongated oval shape, which differs from its predecessors. It’s also symmetrical and reversible, which eliminates a common criticism of previous versions, such as rectangular USB-A connectors, because there’s no wrong way to connect it.
What’s so great about USB-C?
USB-C cables can deliver more power — so laptops can charge faster — and enable faster data transfer speeds, allowing you to copy large numbers of files from a computer to an external hard drive. At the same time, they can send a video signal to the monitor and supply power to connected accessories.
The USB-C connector is also designed with the future in mind. The look won’t change, but the new versions — and the devices they connect to — will include improved features. This means that users must be careful, as older devices may not be compatible with the latest specifications.
It’s also thinner than USB-A connectors, so it adapts better to new, smaller devices.
Why does Apple use it?
Apple has long defended its Lightning connector for iPhones, even though almost no one was using it. The company stood firm against the European Union’s demand for a common charging device for all, saying that would limit innovation and ultimately hurt consumers.
The Californian tech giant has maintained its position even as others have begun adding USB-C connectors to their devices. But after the EU proposal received key approval last year, Apple relented and hasn’t looked back.
An executive at the company that recently introduced the latest iPhone didn’t mention the Lightning cable when unveiling its replacement.
“USB-C has become a globally accepted standard, so we’re introducing USB-C on iPhone 15,” said Kayann Drance, vice president of iPhone Product Marketing.
Drance explained that USB-C “has been built into Apple products for years” and can now be used on MacBooks, iPads, iPhones and AirPods.
What role did Europe play?
Apple’s change is an example of how EU regulations end up having ripple effects around the world – known as the “Brussels effect” – as companies decide that complying with them is easier than making different products for different regions.
The European Union has spent more than a decade lobbying the tech industry to adopt a common standard for charging devices. The push for uniform standards for cables is part of a wider drive to make products sold in the EU more sustainable and reduce e-waste.
The EU’s common charging standard won’t take effect until the fall of 2024. It covers phones, tablets, e-readers, headphones, digital cameras, headsets, headsets, handheld video game consoles, keyboards, mice, portable speakers and navigation devices.
It also sets the standard for fast charging technology and gives consumers the right to choose whether to purchase new devices with or without a charger.
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