One sentence summary – Apple has replaced its proprietary lightning port with the USB-C standard for the newly launched iPhone 15, in compliance with an EU directive aimed at reducing electronic waste, and is offering a USB-C to lightning adaptor for compatibility with older iPhone accessories, while also making environmental commitments and releasing other products during their launch event.
At a glance
- Apple has replaced its proprietary lightning port with the USB-C standard for the iPhone 15.
- This change is a result of an EU directive aimed at reducing electronic waste.
- Apple is offering a USB-C to lightning adaptor to address compatibility issues with older iPhone accessories.
- Pre-orders for the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro have started, with pricing starting at £799.
- Apple has made environmental commitments, including carbon neutrality and increased use of recycled materials.
The details
Apple has introduced significant changes to its charging system for the newly launched iPhone 15.
The company has replaced its proprietary lightning port with the USB-C standard.
This change is a result of an EU directive aimed at reducing electronic waste.
The directive requires all phones sold in Europe to adopt the USB standard.
USB-C is a versatile connector that allows for the transmission of power, data, video, and audio signals.
However, not all USB-C cables are of equal quality.
With the switch to USB-C, the iPhone 15 is no longer natively compatible with previously used wired iPhone accessories and chargers.
To address this, Apple is offering a USB-C to lightning adaptor.
This adaptor allows compatibility with older iPhone accessories.
Additionally, Apple is selling a braided USB-C cable for devices that already have a USB-C port.
For users purchasing the iPhone 15, a USB-C to USB-C cable will be included in the box.
The switch to USB-C does not impact wireless charging capabilities, which will remain unaffected.
Apple’s USB-C to lightning adaptor
Apple’s USB-C to lightning adaptor is designed for charging, data transfer, and audio purposes.
The adaptor is braided for enhanced durability.
Pre-orders and pricing
Apple has opened pre-orders for the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro.
Customers have the option to pre-order online to avoid long lines.
Pre-orders began at 5am local Pacific time and 1pm in the UK.
The company temporarily took its store offline before the start of pre-orders.
Various networks are offering deals for the new iPhones.
The pricing starts at £799 for the iPhone 15 and £999 for the Pro version.
The UK saw a slight decrease in prices, while prices remained largely the same in the US.
Features and other products
The iPhone 15 brings last year’s iPhone 14 Pro upgrades to the more affordable models.
The Pro version features a faster chip, improved cameras, and a new titanium material.
Alongside the new iPhones, Apple also unveiled other products during their event.
These products include the Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Ultra 2, and new AirPods Pro.
All of these products are already available for order.
The EU directive has played a significant role in Apple’s decision to exclude the lightning charging port from the iPhone 15.
Apple has opted for the universally accepted USB-C cable.
Apple also released a USB-C-to-lightning port adapter for £29 ($36).
This adapter can connect lightning port accessories to the new iPhones or iPads.
The EU’s directive aims to benefit consumers by reducing electronic waste.
However, some experts express concerns about potential increases in discarded cables in the future.
During the launch event, Apple made environmental commitments.
These commitments include carbon neutrality for the new Apple Watch series and an increased use of recycled materials.
Apple aims to become a carbon-neutral business by 2030.
The company has decided to eliminate the use of leather in its accessories.
Some analysts question whether consumers will be willing to pay the higher price tags for the iPhone 15.
This is because the devices do not differ significantly from their predecessors.
Apple’s shares experienced a slight decrease following a sharp drop last week.
This drop was due to reports of a potential Chinese government ban on officials using iPhones.
However, Apple’s shipments saw the least decline among major smartphone makers, according to Counterpoint Research.
Apple CEO Tim Cook described the iPhone 15 range as the “best and most capable iPhones we’ve ever made.”
Experts remain uncertain about consumer adoption at the current price points.
Apple’s commitment to environmental sustainability and the move towards a universally accepted charging standard marks a significant step for the company.
Article X-ray
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A pixelated image of an iPhone with a charging cable plugged into a USB-C port.
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| independent.co.uk |
|---|
| – Apple has replaced its proprietary lightning port with the USB-C standard for iPhone charging cables. – |
| The EU directive aimed at reducing electronic waste requires all phones sold in Europe to adopt the USB standard. |
| – USB-C is designed to transmit power, data, video, and audio signals, but not all cables are of equal quality. – |
| The switch to USB-C means that wired iPhone accessories and chargers are no longer natively compatible with the iPhone 15. – Apple is selling a USB-C to lightning adaptor to make old iPhone accessories compatible with the iPhone 15. – Apple is also selling a braided USB-C cable for devices that already have a USB-C port. |
| – |
| The iPhone 15 will come with a USB-C to USB-C cable included in the box. – |
| The switch to USB-C will not affect wireless charging. – Apple’s USB-C to lightning adaptor is rated for charging, data, and audio and is braided for durability. |
| independent.co.uk |
|---|
| – Apple has opened pre-orders for the new iPhone 15 and 15 Pro. – Pre-orders opened at 5am local pacific time, or 1pm in the UK. – Apple took its store offline before pre-orders opened. |
| – Apple encourages customers to buy the phone online to avoid long lines. |
| – Apple offers various ways to pre-order, including lining up the pre-order in advance and picking up the product at a store. |
| – Various networks are offering their own deals for the new iPhone. – |
| The iPhone 15 starts at £799 and the Pro version starts at £999. – Prices for the new iPhones fell slightly in the UK and stayed largely the same in the US. – |
| The iPhone 15 brings last year’s iPhone 14 Pro upgrades to the less expensive phones. – |
| The iPhone 15 Pro has a faster chip, improved cameras, and a new titanium material. |
| – Other products unveiled during Apple’s event, such as the Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Ultra 2, and new AirPods Pro, are already available to order. |
| bbc.co.uk |
|---|
| – Apple’s new iPhone 15 will not feature the lightning charging port, as the EU forced the change. |
| – |
| The iPhone 15 will use a USB-C cable as the “universally accepted standard. |
| ” – Apple also unveiled a new Apple Watch series with a more advanced chip. – Analysts believe that the lack of “headline-grabbing” updates from Apple this year may disappoint some. |
| – Apple released a USB-C-to-lightning port adapter for £29 ($36) to connect lightning port accessories to the new iPhones or iPads. – |
| The iPhone 15 is the first since 2012 to feature an alternative charging port. – |
| The EU’s directive to ditch proprietary charging ports aims to make life easier for consumers, save them money, and reduce e-waste. |
| – However, some experts warn that the move may lead to a rise in discarded cables in the future. |
| – Apple made environmental pledges during its launch event, including making the new Apple Watch range carbon neutral and increasing the use of recycled materials. |
| – Apple pledged to become carbon neutral as a business by 2030 and will no longer use leather in its accessories. – |
| The iPhone 15 range is described by Apple CEO Tim Cook as the “best and most capable iPhones we’ve ever made. |
| ” – Experts question whether consumers will be willing to pay the high price tags for the devices, as they are not significantly different from their predecessors. – |
| The iPhone 15 starts at £799 and the iPhone 15 Pro starts at £999 in the UK. – Apple’s shares were slightly down on Tuesday, following a sharp drop last week due to reports of a Chinese government ban on officials using iPhones. |
| – Apple’s shipments fell the least among major smartphone makers, according to analysts Counterpoint Research. |
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