MILLIONS of iPhone owners will soon be forced to use a completely different charging cable.
The EU has effectively banned Apple’s lightning port, ruling that all smartphones should use the same type of cable, USB-C.
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Many phones already use USB-C but Apple has so far resisted.
From autumn 2024, all small electronic devices will have to use the same type of port.
While the move is only intended for devices sold in EU countries, it’s quite likely Apple will adopt it across the world so that the firm doesn’t have to produce two different batches of iPhone.
The rules will only apply to new phones, so anyone with an iPhone at the moment can continue using their lightning cable as normal for the rest of the phone’s life.
But once they upgrade after autumn 2024 they’ll have to use USB-C instead.
Apple had already switched over on the iPad and Mac.
And recent reports suggested the tech giant was already preparing to scrap the lightning port on iPhone too.
The main aim of the change is to cut down on people having loads of different cables and therefore reduce electronic waste.
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EU industry chief Thierry Breton said the deal would save around 250million euros ($267million / £213million) for consumers in the block.
“It will also allow new technologies such as wireless charging to emerge and to mature without letting innovation become a source of market fragmentation and consumer inconvenience,” he said.
Apple has previously argued such a move risks damaging innovation.
Laptops will also have to comply with similar measures but will have a bit longer to get things in order.
‘Rule applies to all’
Officials disputed suggestions that the laws are specifically aimed at Apple.
In a press conference, Breton added: “The rule applies to all and sundry. It’s not adopted against anybody.
“We’re working for the consumers, not the companies, and we have to give these companies rules; rules that are clear in order to enter the internal market.”
However, Apple may still be able to avoid the rules.
The fine print says that it applies to devices “that are rechargeable via a wired cable”.
So if the firm decides to go with wireless charging only, it won’t have to use USB-C at all.
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