Apple is making ready to introduce the iPhone 14 sequence on September 7, which is predicted to come back in 4 variants. And whereas the iPhone 14 sequence will introduce some modifications — together with a brand new iPhone 14 Max model — it may additionally mark a major milestone within the product’s historical past. This might be the final set of iPhones to be launched with Lightning port. And there are numerous causes for this. We see that the Lightning port might be on its means.
European and one charging port laws
An enormous purpose why Apple is making this change is as a result of the European Union has already handed a regulation for a single charging port on all cellphones. Under the brand new regulation till the autumn of 2024, Apple can not be allowed to promote iPhones with its signature Lightning connector in most European international locations, together with France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, and a number of other different international locations. The EU has made Type-C the usual default port for all cellphones, tablets and even cameras.
As a outcome, Apple can have three choices – both cease promoting its iPhones in Europe (unlikely) or change to the extra common USB Type-C port for charging, or make an iPhone that has no ports and fees solely. wirelessly. The final one can be very unrealistic in the meanwhile.
Of course, Apple should still launch one other iPhone sequence (iPhone 15-series) with a Lightning port in 2023, earlier than it wants to chop the port in favor of a common resolution since laws got here into power in 2024. . But then gross sales can have a huge effect on this iPhone 15 sequence as Apple will solely be capable of promote it for lower than a 12 months. The firm usually sells a newly launched iPhone at its shops or via retailers for at the very least just a few years (which is why you’ll be able to nonetheless purchase the iPhone 12 or iPhone 11) earlier than it is phased out.
But with new EU legal guidelines between September and November 2024, a Lightning-bearing iPhone 15 from 2023 will not be on retailer cabinets for lengthy. More importantly, the EU just isn’t the one place to see this one port rule. The Indian authorities can be exploring a rule for one charger for all gadgets and is at the moment in session with numerous business stakeholders.
This is why many imagine that the iPhone 14 might be the final iPhone with a Lightning port, together with famend Apple analyst Ming Chi-kuo. he stated that Apple will transition For a USB-C iPhone from subsequent 12 months, that might enhance switch and charging speeds, although last particulars will nonetheless depend upon iOS assist. Kuo has been predicting this for a while, however given the EU laws, Apple might must make a transfer quickly.
Keep in thoughts, that the newest iPads already assist Type-C USB charging, and even MacBooks assist this function. While some new MacBooks have seen the return of MagSafe charging, customers can nonetheless depend on the Type-C USB port to cost these gadgets. Also, whereas EU laws do not have an effect on Apple’s merchandise or gross sales in different international locations, it would not make sense for the Cupertino-based tech large to launch two completely different iPhone variants, one variant for Europe. -C one and one lightning one for the remainder of the world.
Lightning Port resides on borrowed time
Whether or not Apple makes the change to USB-C, the Lightning port will quickly be becoming a member of a muse both means. However, that does not imply that the Lightning Port machine you are utilizing at this time might be ineffective. You can nonetheless use Lightning to Type-C adapters and cables which might be simple to seek out.
Adapters that allow you to join USB Type-C and Lightning ports are widespread in accent outlets. (Image Source: Chetan Nayak / The Indian Express)
In the long term, Lightning Port’s days are numbered. As a outcome, you will see the business slowly transferring out of the Lightning port and any Lightning-based stuff disappearing as properly. A superb instance looking back is the previous micro-USB port that flourished till just a few years again. Even when top-tier telephones switched to USB-C, we may nonetheless discover funds telephones working Micro-USB, TWS earbuds, and a plethora of different equipment. But within the final two years, most firms have phased them out.
So must you purchase the iPhone 14 or watch for the following period of iPhone ports?
Back to the upcoming iPhone 14, the reply is kind of easy – it would not matter as a lot as you in all probability suppose it does. When the world strikes to a brand new port, it is a gradual course of, not a light-weight change that goes off in a second. Even if the iPhone 14 is the final iPhone with a Lightning connector, it’s going to nonetheless be usable for years, so long as you’ve a Lightning charging cable, which you will undoubtedly recover from the following few years.
The actual query arises once you add longevity to the equation. If you are somebody who likes to purchase a brand new iPhone and use it for greater than 4 years (like many iPhone 6s and iPhone 7 customers at this time), you’ve got been caught with a Lightning port telephone for some time. can get caught collectively. The finish outcome: You’ll be pressured to hold a spare cable always whereas the remainder of the world and gadgets change to Type-C.
With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
