- Written by Daniel Thomas
- BBC News business reporter
Apple has confirmed that new iPhones will not have their own Lightning charging port after the EU forced the change.
The tech giant said the iPhone 15, unveiled at its annual event on Tuesday, will use a USB-C cable as a “globally accepted standard.”
A new Apple Watch series with more advanced chips was also announced.
However, one analyst said some people will be disappointed by the lack of “attention-grabbing” updates from Apple this year.
“This is not surprising given the maturity of the iPhone and Watch,” said Ben Wood of CCS Insight.
“This reflects how sophisticated iPhone and Watch devices have become, and how difficult it has become to deliver truly disruptive updates every year.”
New iPhone devices going on sale next week will be the first since 2012 to feature alternative charging ports.
The company says the USB-C cable, which already works with many Apple laptops and iPads, will also work with new versions of the company’s AirPods Pro earbuds and wired EarPods headphones.
The EU will force tech giants to eliminate proprietary charging ports to make consumers’ lives easier, save money and help reduce electronic waste by encouraging reuse of chargers. I was instructed to do so.
But some warn that the move will lead to more cables being discarded in the coming years.
Perhaps in response, Apple used Tuesday’s launch event to make a series of environmental pledges about its new devices, including making its new Apple Watch series carbon neutral for the first time.
It will also increase the amount of recycled materials used in batteries and other parts for the new Watch and iPhone.
The company also confirmed it would no longer use leather in its accessories and pledged to become carbon neutral as a company by 2030.
Apple President Tim Cook said the new iPhone 15 series includes “the best and most capable iPhones we’ve ever made.”
- The iPhone 15 and 15 Plus have been given brighter screens and improved camera systems, while the high-end iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max now feature titanium frames for increased strength.
- Instead of a mute switch, the Pro and Max have an “action button” that can be customized for different functions.
- The new Apple Watch features gesture controls that allow the wearer to answer or end a call by double-tapping two fingers simultaneously on the same hand that’s wearing the device.
However, some experts question whether consumers are prepared to pay a hefty price for this device, given that there are no significant differences from its predecessor.
iPhone 15 Pro prices start at £999 in the UK.
“Convincing users to buy these new devices in the midst of a cost of living crisis will not be easy,” said Paolo Pescatore, analyst and founder of PP Foresight. “While some will view new features as incremental, [although] Together they enhance the overall experience, which is valuable to Apple’s core user base. ”
Apple shares fell slightly on Tuesday, but it was not enough to reverse last week’s selloff triggered by reports that the Chinese government had banned officials from using iPhones.
Huawei’s launch of a new smartphone series in China has stirred investor anxiety.
The global smartphone market has fallen from total shipments of 294.5 million units to 268 million units in the second quarter of 2023.
However, Apple’s shipments fell the most among major smartphone makers, falling from 46.5 million units to 45.3 million units, according to analyst Counterpoint Research.