Title: Apple Announces iPhone 15 without Lightning Charging Port, Adhering to EU Regulations
Subtitle: Environmental Commitments and Incremental Updates Highlighted During Annual Apple Event
Date: September 12, 2023
In a move forced by EU regulations, Apple confirmed that its newly unveiled iPhone 15 would not feature its proprietary lightning charging port. Instead, the tech giant stated that the device would use a USB-C cable, which is considered the “universally accepted standard.”
During its annual event held on Tuesday, Apple also introduced a new Apple Watch series with an advanced chip. Nevertheless, some industry analysts expressed disappointment at the lack of “headline-grabbing” updates from Apple this year.
Ben Wood from CCS Insight said, “It isn’t a surprise given the maturity of the iPhone and Watch. It reflects just how refined the iPhone and Watch devices are and how tough it has become to deliver truly disruptive updates every year.”
The iPhone 15, set to go on sale next week, will be the first device since 2012 to feature an alternative charging port. Apple confirmed that the USB-C cable, already compatible with many Apple laptops and iPads, will also work with the new versions of its AirPods Pro earphones and wired EarPods headphones.
The EU’s directive to abandon proprietary charging ports aims to simplify the lives of consumers, save them money, and reduce electronic waste by encouraging charger reusability. However, there are concerns that this move may lead to an increase in discarded cables in the future.
To address environmental concerns, Apple made a series of pledges during the event. The company stated that the new Apple Watch range would be carbon neutral for the first time and pledged to increase the use of recycled materials in batteries and other components of the watch and iPhone.
Additionally, Apple announced that it would no longer use leather in any of its accessories and committed to becoming a carbon-neutral business by 2030.
Emphasizing its commitment to innovation, Apple CEO Tim Cook described the iPhone 15 range as the “best and most capable iPhones we’ve ever made.” The new devices boast brighter screens and improved camera systems, with the high-end iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max featuring a titanium frame for enhanced durability. These models also introduce an “action button” in place of the mute switch, offering users customizable functions.
Some experts, however, expressed skepticism regarding consumers’ willingness to pay the high price tags for these devices, as they are not drastically different from their predecessors. The iPhone 15 Pro starts at £999 in the UK.
“Convincing users to fork out for these new devices will not be easy during a cost-of-living crisis,” stated Paolo Pescatore, analyst and founder of PP Foresight. He added, “Some will see the new features as incremental, [although] collectively they enhance the overall experience, which is priceless among Apple’s core user base.”
Apple’s shares experienced a slight decline on Tuesday following a sharp drop triggered by reports that the Chinese government had prohibited officials from using iPhones. Investor unease was further fueled by Huawei’s release of a new smartphone series in China.
Although the global smartphone market experienced a decline in shipments from 294.5 million phones to 268 million in the second quarter of 2023, Apple’s shipments fell the least among major smartphone manufacturers, dropping from 46.5 million phones to 45.3 million, according to analysts at Counterpoint Research.