Apple may be forced to abandon its Lightning connection

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It may have to adopt a 'common' charging port under new EU ruling

Apple may be forced to abandon its Lightning cable connection
(Image credit: Future)

Apple may have to ditch its iPhone connection in favour of a more universal alternative under new EU ruling.

The European Commission is being encouraged by EU Parliament to force electronics companies to adopt a universal charging type, with the USB-C port used by Android phones the probable choice. The date on which the EU will rule on the matter is yet to be determined.

Apple has somewhat committed to the USB-C connector by implementing it on its more recent MacBook and iMac models, as well as its 2019 iPad Pro, but every iPhone since 2012, the most recent being the iPhone 11 and 11 Pro, has stuck with the Lightning port.

If a single charging method does become compulsory, it would seem unlikely that Apple would persist with Lightning in other markets, and would therefore likely mark the death of the proprietary port. 

If passed, the legislation, which members of EU Parliament have been campaigning for for the best part of a decade, would ultimately see consumers needing only one cable to charge their Android and future Apple devices.

'A common charger should fit all mobile phones, tablets, e-book readers and other portable devices, MEPs will insist', says the EU briefing.

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Becky Roberts
Becky Roberts

Becky is the managing editor of What Hi-Fi? and, since her recent move to Melbourne, also the editor of Australian Hi-Fi magazine. During her 10+ years in the hi-fi industry, she has reviewed all manner of audio gear, from budget amplifiers to high-end speakers, and particularly specialises in headphones and head-fi devices. In her spare time, Becky can often be found running, watching Liverpool FC and horror movies, and hunting for gluten-free cake.

13 Comments Comment from the forums
  • Friesiansam
    What Hi-Fi? said:
    If a single charging method does become compulsory, it would seem unlikely that Apple would persist with Lightning in other markets, and would therefore likely mark the death of the proprietary port.
    RIP Lightning connector, you won't be missed.
    Reply
  • F8lee
    So true - unfortunately having lost the standard headphone jack when they unilaterally decided to screw up everyone's life it's very unlikely that that will return...now it will give iPhone users a chance to buy another dongle!
    Reply
  • Paladin33rd
    I think the Apple Lightning connector is dumb. However, do you really want the idiot politicos making more stupid laws?!?!?! Let the market decide. If the Apple connector becomes unusable/unpopular enough, the free market will change it with declining sales/profits. We refer to this as Capitalism. Try it...IT WORKS!!!

    Remember your "Nanny" binding posts/banana connector fiasco. Time to ditch the Socialist EU Overlords and get back with the civilized world!!!
    Reply
  • Duug
    The lighting connector is one of the best designed connections ever. Nothing else is even close. It would be a shame to see an unelected bunch of political dictators ruin it for the world.
    Reply
  • Duug said:
    The lighting connector is one of the best designed connections ever. Nothing else is even close. It would be a shame to see an unelected bunch of political dictators ruin it for the world.
    Isn't that Apple's domain... wanting to rule the tech world :)
    Reply
  • insider9
    Duug said:
    unelected bunch of political dictators ruin it for the world.
    Lol...
    Because melting ice caps are fine as long as we have out mobile phones charged with the right cables.
    Reply
  • bigboss
    I don't think this news is true.

    https://www.theverge.com/2020/1/17/21070848/eu-apple-european-commission-common-charger-lightning-cable-port
    Reply
  • abacus
    If you look at Apples latest products they are all USB C for charging, (The lightning connector is dead in the water just like the headphone jack) as do most other manufactures. (Although some still have there own connectors as well)
    The EU are basically just legislating for the inevitable. (And wasting a shed load of money and time as usual)

    Bill
    Reply
  • bigmoose
    insider9 said:
    Lol...
    Because melting ice caps are fine as long as we have out mobile phones charged with the right cables.
    I also wants to save the ice caps... As long as it doesn't make me change their habits, or involve any effort from my part...
    Reply
  • Duug
    DougK said:
    Isn't that Apple's domain... wanting to rule the tech world :)
    I guess but doesn't seem that they are having much impact post Jobs. I got the feeling that Google's got the jump on them now and they will become less pertinent as AI & 5g become more invasive.
    Reply