Apple to Move to USB-C Charging on iPhones and Other Devices by 2024

Bloomberg insider Mark Gurman in his latest weekly Power On newsletter has reported that Apple is going to switch from the Lightning charging port on iPhones and other devices to USB-C under a new European law.

The EU passed legislation last week that requires manufacturers of many devices - phones, tablets, cameras, headphones and headsets, e-readers, keyboards, mice, mobile navigation systems, portable gaming consoles and speakers - to switch to USB-C for new products by the end of 2024, and the standard will be extended to notebooks in spring 2026.

Apple has spoken out against the change, saying last year that "strict regulation mandating just one type of connector stifles innovation rather than encouraging it, which in turn will harm consumers in Europe and around the world.”

Nevertheless, Apple has been preparing for this legislation. Gurman believes that the iPhone 15 is almost guaranteed to get USB-C in autumn 2023, a year ahead of the requirement. As for the only remaining iPad without USB-C (the entry-level model), it should receive the port by the end of this year.

That leaves AirPods, Magic Mouse, Magic Keyboard and Magic Trackpad as the devices without USB-C. Gurman predicts that the transition to the new charging type for these devices will take place in 2024.

However, Gurman believes the USB-C era will be much shorter than the era of the 30-pin iPod or Lightning connector, as Apple moves to wireless charging. He believes that some version of the cancelled 2017 AirPower dream will eventually come true.