According to the most recent news, not only will the iPhone 15 series include USB Type-C charging ports, but some older iPhone 14 models will also be reintroduced with the new charging connections, potentially heralding the end of the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone Pro Max versions. This transition is most likely motivated by EU laws mandating the use of a common charging connector, USB-C, by 2024.
Since the release of the iPhone 14, reports have circulated that Apple may release the iPhone 15 series with USB Type-C charging to comply with EU rules. However, according to current rumours, several existing iPhone 14 models will be reissued with new charging connections.
As the calendar approaches September, Apple fans are anticipating the release of the next iPhone. This time, the iPhone 15 steals the show, and it’s slated to usher in a huge change – the adoption of USB-C charging. While the internet has been humming with rumors about the iPhone 15 ditching the familiar Lightning connector, recent disclosures point to a bigger move that could effect many more iPhones.
A tweet from user @aaronp613 has sparked renewed interest. The report revealed that references to not only the iPhone 15, but also six other devices were concealed within the tvOS 17 beta code.
iPhone models that have yet to be released. According to BGR, four of these were identified as potential iPhone 15 variants, while the remaining two were suspected to be part of the iPhone 14 family, potentially the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus.
Notably, this development appears to imply that Apple may retire the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone Pro Max models when the iPhone 15 is released. This is a common procedure for Apple, as it ensures that the previous generation’s Pro models make way for the latest innovation, preventing competition within their own portfolio.
However, when Apple launched USB-C charging with the iPad Pro in 2018, the winds of change began to blow. This change represented a recognition of growing industry standards as well as a future shift away from the Lightning cable. Surprisingly, while all iPad models now support USB-C charging, the iPhone has remained bound to the Lightning connector.
The European Union (EU) has been a leading factor behind this transition, working tirelessly to develop a requirement requiring all consumer gadgets to use a common charging connector – USB-C. This legislation, which went into effect last year, requires tech behemoths to comply by 2024 or suffer consequences in the EU market.
