Because We Have No Choice Apple will switch the iPhone to USB-C. Apple’s Senior Vice President of Marketing, Greg Joswiak, has stated that the iPhone will have a USB-C connector because “we have no alternative.”
Joswiak and Craig Federighi, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Software Engineering, spoke with The Wall Street Journal’s Joanna Stern yesterday about cables and ports.
Before the end of 2024, the European Union will mandate all phones, tablets, and cameras to use USB-C charging. According to Apple’s regular release cycle for new iPhone models, the iPhone 16 will require a USB Type-C port, though Apple may decide to make the move on the iPhone 15 next year.
Joswiak believes that a government being so “prescriptive” and requiring a changeover to USB-C for all devices was the wrong thing to do, and that it will result in more technological waste. When it comes to complying with the new rules, though, Joswiak says, “clearly, we’ll have to comply, we have no choice.”
If Apple does not make the change, it will be unable to sell new iPhones in any EU country, which is unimaginable. So Joswiak is correct when he says Apple has no choice. While many Lightning cords and accessories will eventually become obsolete, the migration to USB-C everywhere should result in less e-waste being generated in the long run. Recycling should be promoted as well.
