New Delhi: The iPhone 15 may be the first phone from Apple to come with a USB Type-C port instead of its signature Lightning cable, according to famed Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. This comes after reports suggesting that Apple may ditch the notch on its 2024 lineup of iPhones. It should be noted that the iPhone maker has stayed away from USB Type-C port all these years, but several factors, including the EU legislation, may force it to change its plan.
"My latest survey indicates that 2H23 new iPhone will abandon Lightning port and switch to USB-C port. USB-C could improve iPhone's transfer and charging speed in hardware designs, but the final spec details still depend on iOS support." Ming-Chi Kuo, Analyst at TF International Securities, tweeted on Wednesday.
"It's expected to see existing USB-C-related suppliers of Apple's ecosystem (e.g., IC controller, connector) become the market's focus in the next 1-2 years, thanks to vast orders from iPhones and accessories' adoption of USB-C ports," Kuo added.
Also read: Google I/O: Google Translate Adds 24 New Languages, 8 Of Them Are Used In India
This development comes weeks after legislation passed by EU that makes it mandatory for phone makers to adopt USB Type-C charging ports as a standard for portable devices. Apple is the last to make the switch to Type C and almost all Android smartphone manufacturers and tablet makers have already moved to Type-C chargers.
EU's Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee (MEP) voted to support the legislation that aims to reduce electronic waste, address product sustainability and make use of different devices more convenient. The new mandate would make sure consumers no longer need a new charger and cable every time they purchase new medium and small-sized gadgets which includes smartphones, tablets, , headphones and headsets, digital cameras, handheld videogame consoles and portable speakers, rechargeable via a wired cable, would have to be equipped with a USB Type-C port.
The devices that are exempted include the ones that can not accommodate a Typce-C port such as smartwatches and fitness trackers.