According to informed sources, the Apple brand is testing a port change on the iPhone, as well as a Lightning adapter. A change that could occur for the iPhone 15.
Apple is slowly preparing for the arrival of potential European regulations concerning charging ports by testing an iPhone with a USB-C port. Indeed, in order to limit electronic waste, Europe is currently discussing regulations to impose USB-C as a standard on all small electronic devices that could accommodate it (which excludes watches for example ). This information from Mark Gurman of Bloomberg would therefore confirm the statements of analyst Ming-Chu Kuo that we reported to you last week.
Many Apple devices such as iPads or Macs already have USB-C ports and adopting it on the iPhone would allow customers to have a single standard for their different devices. For other accessories that use the Lightning port, the Cupertino company would develop a USB-C Lightning adapter in parallel.
This does not necessarily appeal to Apple
For Apple, the obligation to switch to USB-C is relatively badly perceived. Indeed, the firm believes that this is a brake on innovation. And although the company could take the regulations on the wrong foot by going through wireless charging, this would result (in the current state of things) in charging and data transfers that are slower than in the wired version.
It would also cause Apple to lose leverage over props. Indeed, the Apple brand imposed strict specifications for anyone wishing to use the Lightning port, but the switch to USB-C would force them to review their procedure.
Is it inevitable?
Is it possible for Apple not to adopt USB-C on the iPhone? If the regulations in Europe are adopted, the manufacturer will have no choice but to comply. Although it is possible to manufacture a model specific to the old continent, managing multiple production lines and supply chains would be tedious work for relatively little benefit.
It remains to be seen whether Apple will make the change if the law is not passed. Anyway, if there is a change, it shouldn’t happen before the iPhone 15.
This would be the second time in iPhone history that the connector has changed. In 2011, the iPhone 5 introduced the Lightning port, which is more robust and can be inserted in both directions, replacing the iPod’s 30-pin connector. A change that caused some complaints, but which was quickly adopted given the comfort provided. It remains to be seen whether the switch to USB-C, which does not present revolutionary advantages in terms of daily use, will also be well accepted (the customer will not really have a choice anyway).