Apple bows to EU rules with iPhone 15 upgrade

Compared to their predecessors, the new gadgets have a number of improved features, but the new charging port stands as it was modified to comply with EU rules.

Since 2012, previous iPhones have been fitted with Lightning connectors which are peculiar to only Apple products. However, the European Parliament in October 2022 voted in favour of a standardised charging port for mobile devices.

The law required that all phones, tablets and cameras sold to EU consumers should have USB-C connectors, by 2024. Asides from mobile phones, the rule also applied to ear bud chargers, e-readers and other portable electronic devices. Laptops will also be affected by the new rule from 2026.

After the rule was passed in 2022, Apple’s senior VP of worldwide marketing, Greg Joswiak, was asked by The Wall Street Journal if Apple would replace Lightning with the USB-C ports. He replied that the company had “no choice” but to comply with EU regulations.

Apple had also expressed objections to the requirement, arguing that the new rule will stifle innovation. However, the iPhone 15 unveiling on Tuesday revealed that the company had complied with the requirement.

Additionally, other newly released products including the iPhone’s standard wired earphones and the charging case for AirPods Pro earbuds will also have the USB-C port from now on.

In a statement shared via the company’s website on Tuesday, Apple touted its new releases as devices “featuring a strong and lightweight titanium design with new contoured edges, a new Action button, powerful camera upgrades, and A17 Pro for next-level performance and mobile gaming”.