It's possible that the corporation is getting ready to comply with forthcoming EU legislation.
Apple may be changing the charging port on the iPhone. According to a Bloomberg story, Apple is testing new iPhones and adapters with USB-C, which is already used by MacBooks and iPads, as well as a variety of non-Apple products. We reached out to Apple for confirmation, but have yet to hear back.
According to Bloomberg, the adaptor under testing could "allow future iPhones to function with peripherals developed for the existing Lightning port." This might include a Lightning-to-USB-C adaptor for credit card scanners and flash drives that now connect to iPhones. According to Bloomberg, if Apple "goes forward with the modification," it won't happen until 2023 at the earliest.
While Apple's moves to alter connectors have been the target of numerous jokes in the media, a switch to USB-C may be beneficial. The more frequently used standard is only slightly larger than Lightning, but it can provide more power and data faster. The shift may also make life easier for individuals who currently charge most of their devices using USB-C but still need to carry a Lightning cord for their iPhones.
Apple's incentives for the possible move may not be entirely selfless. For years, the EU has pushed for a common phone charging standard, and recently proposed legislation that would require all handsets to use USB-C. Apple simply recognizing the writing on the wall by testing USB-C on iPhones. If this happens, it would not only benefit the majority of people who presently use USB-C, but it will also result in less e-waste in the future.
Apple's iPad and Macintosh products have already transitioned to USB-C from the company's proprietary Lightning connector, while iPhones have kept the Lightning port. The power bricks in Apple's wireless chargers for iPhones and Apple Watches also employ USB-C connectors.
Apple has declined to comment on the proposed change, although it would simplify things for consumers while also allowing iPhones to charge and transfer data faster. AirPods, Apple TV remotes, the MagSafe battery pack and MagSafe Duo charger, as well as third-party accessories, all still have the Lightning connector.
Apple began using USB-C in 2015 with MacBooks, followed by iPad Pro in 2018, iPad Air in 2020, and iPad Mini in 2021. Several other Apple accessories, including AirPods, Magic Keyboard, and MagSafe Battery Pac, are expected to migrate to USB-C, according to Kuo, who did not provide a particular date.
USB-C is an industry standard that encompasses most of the electronics sector, allowing users to transfer data and charge many devices with a single charger. People can also use USB-C to plug in gadgets like gaming laptops, docking stations, and 4K monitors, thanks to a power boost to 240 watts last year.
European Union regulators have also pushed for an universal USB-C charging port on phones and other devices. The Lightning port will almost certainly be retained in the next iPhone 14, which is slated to be introduced later this year. There have also been reports about an iPhone with no ports, although it's unclear when (or if) that will happen.
