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Tech

Future Apple iPhones could have new charging system after law passed: analysts

By
Thomas Barrabi
Published Oct. 6, 2022, 9:59 a.m. ET

Analysts say Apple is likely to make a major change to its iPhone charging system in future releases after European regulators passed a key law this week.

The European Parliament’s lawmakers overwhelmingly in favor of a law requiring Apple and other tech companies to make all of their products compatible with a standard USB-C charger. The change is expected to take effect in 2023 if given final approval by European Union member states.

As a result, Apple is likely to ditch its current proprietary Lightning chargers and make future iPhones USB-C- compatible, according to analysts cited by CNBC. The change would apply to all iPhones, not just those sold in Europe. Many other Apple products already use USB-C chargers.

“It is now inevitable that Apple will have to capitulate and transition to USB-C on the iPhone 15 when it arrives in 2023,” Ben Wood, chief analyst at CCS Insight, said in a note to clients this week.

Wood expanded on his thoughts in an interview with CNBC.

Apple iPhone
European lawmakers are requiring tech firms to standardize their charging systems. NurPhoto via Getty Images

“My thinking is that Apple has already moved to USB-C on MacBook and iPad Pro so the transition has started. iPhone 14 was quite iterative so iPhone 15 could be a bigger step in design. Therefore, it would be a good time to make the change,” the analyst said. 

IDC tech industry analyst Bryan Ma told the outlet that Apple was most likely to make the change globally rather than manufacture separate iPhone models based on region.

“Most likely it would make sense that they get the scale out of moving to this common charger globally rather than having to make individual parts, unless they think that they’re really making so much [money] off of those chargers and accessories and that sort of thing that it’s still worth it for them to maintain that separate,” Ma said during an appearance CNBC’s “Squawk Box Asia.”

The Post has reached out to Apple for comment.

Apple’s preparations for the regulatory shift has already begun. In May, Bloomberg reported the tech giant was developing future iPhone models with USB-C compatibility rather than the current Lightning system.

The report noted the change, if fully implemented, would not appear in iPhones until 2023 at the earliest.

Apple released its most recent model, the iPhone 14, in September. Depending on the model and specs, the phones ranged in price from $799 to $1,599.

The proposal backed by European lawmakers would apply to all phones and tablets sold within Europe beginning in the fall of 2024. The guidelines would also clear the way for regulators to set future standards for which charging systems should be implemented in products.

European officials argue the change would allow consumers to save on costs instead of buying separate chargers for different devices.