Top Lightning-Based Apple Products That Must Switch to USB-C by 2025 for EU Sale

[AirunJae]

Lets "save the environment" by forcing everyone with Lighting cables to go by USB C now.. stupid. What could you expect from a bunch of government morons though?

People can still use Lightning cables to charge their Lightning devices in the immediate term. When they upgrade their phones/devices in the upcoming years, they can switch over to USB-C then, at which point they would have to likely replace their cables anywho. I presume any environmental gains are likely to accrue over time. Apple should have moved the iPhone line in this direction several years back but didn't, likely for various reasons (USB-C was kind of a mess, people got pissed at the 30-pin to Lightning transition, iPhone scale, Device Ecosystem, Apple likes to have greater control of the devices they make to better control the experience, etc). While "government morons" forcing Apple's hand on finally fully transitioning to USB-C isn't ideal, at least it's finally going to happen and we know it's coming and can plan accordingly.

 

[FaustsHausUK]

I'm convinced some of you chew on your cables like rats. I've had the same Lighting cables for years with zero issues.

Let’s put it this way: I’m not saying my girlfriend _doesn’t_ chew on cables like rats, but every cable that goes into her car never makes it out alive. Cables in my office will be here after the nuclear bombs drop and it’s just the cockroaches.

 

[fakestrawberryflavor]

Even tho USB C is superior to lightning in every way, as a libertarian, I disagree with the government forcing anyone to do anything. I hope apple just no longer sells their products in Europe for spite that would be fun. This is why I can’t ever be in power because this is how I would entertain myself.

 

[GeoStructural]

" Any consortium or corporation can come up with a better connector any time." Lol. What happens when a new connection, better than USB C comes out? guess what? Can't use it or they need to change the laws.

1) We have been using an antiquated option for over a decade now. We will be fine if we are “stuck” with the superior USB-C for a few years while laws change to adopt a newer/better one.

2) I am not European (though my dad is). I live in the USA.

 

[ct2k7]

Let’s put it this way: I’m not saying my girlfriend _doesn’t_ chew on cables like rats, but every cable that goes into her car never makes it out alive. Cables in my office will be here after the nuclear bombs drop and it’s just the cockroaches.

Apple may have a solution for fraying Lightning cables | AppleInsider

If you've ever had an iPhone Lightning cable in your car, you already know how fragile they are. Apple may now have a solution that could also protect any kind of cable.

appleinsider.com

If you've ever had an iPhone Lightning cable in your car, you already know how fragile they are.

It looks like @cocky jeremy might be in the minority.

 

[ct2k7]

Even tho USB C is superior to lightning in every way, as a libertarian, I disagree with the government forcing anyone to do anything. I hope apple just no longer sells their products in Europe for spite that would be fun. This is why I can’t ever be in power because this is how I would entertain myself.

I'm sure Apple would love to lose a quarter in device revenue. That would be fun.

I guess you also disagree with the Microsoft antitrust suit from the 90s as well - Microsoft should have been allowed to maintain its monopoly, and hopefully squeeze Apple out.

 

[WiiDSmoker]

I don’t get why some people defend Apple for keeping the Lightening port. Do they like to carry separate cables for their iPads & Macs and iPhones & AirPods?

Even Apple’s own product lineup is using different ports, how isn’t this annoying? I’m glad EU is pushing for standardization.

Because so many people here think Apple is their friend and needs to be defended.

 

[Radeon85]

Apple will be ditching the port eventually. Why release their own MagSafe charger or even that failed attempt at their charging pad if they weren’t.

Now that there is a significant amount of devices out there that can charge wirelessly I can see the port being dropped in the next year or two from the iPhone.

 

[ct2k7]

Apple will be ditching the port eventually. Why release their own MagSafe charger or even that failed attempt at their charging pad if they weren’t.

Now that there is a significant amount of devices out there that can charge wirelessly I can see the port being dropped in the next year or two from the iPhone.

MageSafe is based on Qi.

 

[expectdelay]

It doesn't make MagSafe illegal, the current documentation as it stands says that innovation should decide what wireless standards should be in place.

These market standards exist at this point to reduce e-waste generated by having loads of different cables doing basically the same thing: power delivery and data communication.

Apple is in a unique position where they are using both technologies and charging for the license to build accessories which use their standard, whilst pushing different standards for everything else.

I should have been clearer, I am not referring to the wireless charging on an iPhone. I'm talking about MagSafe on a laptop. It's a brilliant design, and saved me many times from pulling my laptop onto the floor. I don't see how they can continue using something like it with this legislation.

 

[blackcrayon]

The EU may force a standard on to Apple but I have no doubt Apple will find a way to make sure that their USB-C cable is still 'tied' to the Apple product by means of some electronics in the plastic housing of the USB-C connector that Apple devices will see it as a legitimate Apple cable and therefore Apple will say that only Apple authorised USB-C cables should be used on their devices. If owners then start having charging/connection problems Apple support will just say 'are you using an Apple authorised USB-C cable'.

You mean like they do now with their MacBooks and iPads?

It actually *would* be nice if the cables could easily identify their capabilities, as there are a lot of cables that support different combinations of features but you have no way to know which by looking at them.

 

[AlexESP]

You say this while hilariously ignoring that Apple is choosing to use a connector that has long jumped the shark. You’re also viewing this incorrectly, as an antagonistic relationship. The EU isn’t trying to lock people into outdated technology (that would be Apple). I have no doubt that if 10 years from now a new higher performance connector is created, that the EU would listen to a consortium of tech companies asking to have the standard changed.

When it comes to phones, you prefer USB-C, others prefer Lightning - it doesn’t mean one is “incorrect”.
Also, I’d say it’s wishful thinking that the EU will listen and quickly change to new technologies - first of all, because I’m doubtful that all companies will want to change at the same time and choose the same solution.

 

[vipergts2207]

“Apple, which across a wide range of products, continues to use a decade-old port.” I have news for you… USB-C is also a decade old.

USB-C is a few years newer. However even then, only one of these connectors uses transfer speeds from three decades ago. USB-C has seen multiple speed upgrades since it’s initial release.

 

[blackcrayon]

I should have been clearer, I am not referring to the wireless charging on an iPhone. I'm talking about MagSafe on a laptop. It's a brilliant design, and saved me many times from pulling my laptop onto the floor. I don't see how they can continue using something like it with this legislation.

But the current MagSafe laptops still have USB C ports that can be used for charging. Does the legislation specifically say there can't be an alternate method for charging in addition to USB C?

 

[Radeon85]

MageSafe is based on Qi.

It is but they still spent time and money to make their own charger. Why even bother when they could have left it to others.

With lightning cables dead they need to keep some sort of revenue stream from charging cables and the MagSafe charger will do that. They won’t be changed as much but still it’s easy money for what Apple charges for them.

 

[vvapple]

... Regardless of their manufacturer, all new mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones and headsets, handheld videogame consoles and portable speakers, e-readers, keyboards, mice, portable navigation systems, earbuds and laptops that are rechargeable via a wired cable, operating with a power delivery of up to 100 Watts, will have to be equipped with a USB Type-C port....

I just copied this from the Eu website: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news...-for-mobile-devices-will-be-a-reality-in-2024

Don't get me wrong, but the way I read it, I think this is playing further into apples long-term cards.

"via a wired cable" can be read as the following: If a Smartphone device (iPhone) that is announced by 2024 is charged via MagSafe / wireless and doesn't have a port at all, the rule doesn't affect it. So in terms of innovation, I think we are fine if MagSafe does allow for some fast data transfer by then...

Just saying

 

[russell_314]

Is the EU going to make it where you have to click a pop-up OK to consent to having electricity going to your phone? 🙄😂

 

[vipergts2207]

When it comes to phones, you prefer USB-C, others prefer Lightning - it doesn’t mean one is “incorrect”.
Also, I’d say it’s wishful thinking that the EU will listen and quickly change to new technologies - first of all, because I’m doubtful that all companies will want to change at the same time and choose the same solution.

It’s not about being “incorrect.” It’s about the fact that one is slower and is used by only a single company. And as far as using the same solution goes, it’s all but certain that any better standard to come out in the future will come through the USB-IF. Connector standards aren’t exactly a competitive marketplace.

 

[egga94]

Couldn't Apple just sell USB-C iPhones in EU and continue with Lightning in the US and other countries? I mean, with iPhone 14 there's now a US variant without SIM and International with SIM.

 

[jimbobb24]

Oh politicians and their delusions….

Can’t this be satisfied with an adaptor? An adaptor is better so you don’t get frozen in whatever technology the EU and their zealot advisors think is a good idea or else your device will be stuck on USBC when USBF is the norm as they debate if it’s the right time to switch.

 

[expectdelay]

1) We have been using an antiquated option for over a decade now. We will be fine if we are “stuck” with the superior USB-C for a few years while laws change to adopt a newer/better one.

I think you need to flesh this out a little more to be convincing. How would a company develop a new connector here?

IMO (and I could be very wrong) They would have to design it & test it, then have to lobby representatives from 27 different countries (thats just for the EU) to review their new tech, convince them of the merits - somehow without being able to show it working in the real world (remember, it took the EU 8 years from the initial USB-C standard and the first products using it until vote on requiring it), get it sponsored and put on legislative calendar, get vote passed, wait 1-3 years for new standard to kick in, deliver product. How would any company smaller than the biggest players in the space be able to do this? And how would any new standard get enough traction to get anyone to vote on it?

 

[cocky jeremy]

Even tho USB C is superior to lightning in every way, as a libertarian, I disagree with the government forcing anyone to do anything. I hope apple just no longer sells their products in Europe for spite that would be fun. This is why I can’t ever be in power because this is how I would entertain myself.

All the BS EU is pulling I'd love to see Apple, Google, and Microsoft pull out of the market all together just to make them collapse to their knees and beg them to come back. Think about it. No iOS, no Android. No macOS, no Windows. No gmail. No YouTube.. nothing. The people would riot until the government caved.

 

[jimbobb24]

It’s not about being “incorrect.” It’s about the fact that one is slower and is used by only a single company. And as far as using the same solution goes, it’s all but certain that any better standard to come out in the future will come through the USB-IF. Connector standards aren’t exactly a competitive marketplace.

Yes they are. Lightning is competing great in that marketplace with a huge portion of premium phones and devices supporting it.

And your first point is still wrong. The EU passed their silly law because they are concerned about transfer speeds or one company? All solutions have tradeoffs and having a different tradeoffs preference still doesn’t make it incorrect.

 

[redheeler]

During its announcement in 2012, Phil Schiller called the Lightning port a "modern connector for the next decade."

Good, Apple can switch to USB-C with pride intact! No more USB 2.0 transfer speeds when that was already old tech when Lightning first appeared a decade ago, please...

 

[ct2k7]

All the BS EU is pulling I'd love to see Apple, Google, and Microsoft pull out of the market all together just to make them collapse to their knees and beg them to come back. Think about it. No iOS, no Android. No macOS, no Windows. No gmail. No YouTube.. nothing. The people would riot until the government caved.

You know that’s not going to happen, these companies care more about their revenue. No need to be silly or be irrational.