By Thomas Porwol
It’s a rather small detail on the new iPhone 15 – but with big consequences!
Because: For more than 10 years Apple when charging their cell phones on the in-house Lightning port, which was first introduced with the iPhone 5 in 2012. Not anymore! All new models from the iPhone 15 onwards are equipped with a USB-C port for charging and data exchange.
But why? Finally, the old connection also did its job. And for customers, this step means that countless Lightning cables will become electronic waste in the coming years.
Surprising, because Apple placed a particular focus on sustainability at its iPhone keynote. The Apple Watch Series 9 will be available in CO₂-neutral models, and every Apple product should be CO₂-neutral by 2030.
The change is not entirely voluntary
At the Apple event itself, Apple only listed the advantages of the new connection. Especially for the Pro models, it means higher data transfer rates. And since iPads and MacBooks have long been equipped with USB-C, this step finally standardizes the connectors across Apple devices again. The AirPods Pro are now also available with a USB-C port. This means that the last Apple devices with Lightning are the normal AirPods and the AirPods Max.
But Apple didn’t mention the most important reason for the change: the company doesn’t voluntarily change the connection of its devices.
By switching to USB-C, Apple is bowing to an EU directive that requires manufacturers to use a USB-C port for charging by the end of 2024 if their devices are to be sold within the EU.
The directive is the result of years of discussion. Since 2009, when there were more than 30 different chargers, the EU has tried to standardize plugs. This should allow consumers to save 250 million euros per year because they have to buy fewer chargers. In addition, electronic waste should be avoided and switching from one manufacturer to another should be made easier.
Apple itself had defended itself against the EU directive. One of the main arguments: A uniform connection inhibits innovation.
After all, manufacturers no longer have a choice. Your phones must have USB-C ports to be launched in the EU. Even if they could install a better connection. The iPhone company had to bow.
Does the new connection really save electronic waste?
Controversial! First of all, countless Lightning cables create a lot of new electronic waste.
Apple itself fears that a billion of its devices and associated accessories with Lightning ports will require external adapters or could become obsolete.
The digital association Bitkom also warned when the new directive was adopted that standardization would initially lead to more, not less, electronic waste.
“A lot of people use it today Smartphones, tablets, headphones, smartwatches and other devices that do not have a USB-C port,” explained Bitkom boss Bernhard Rohleder. “If you buy a new device from 2024 onwards, you will no longer be able to use your existing charging cables for it – and these will then have to be disposed of.”