It’s lastly occurred: the EU has handed a legislation mandating that every one new smartphones will need to have a USB-C port from 2024.

The legislation, which in response to a press launch (opens in new tab) will come into impact from “the tip of 2024”, additionally applies to tablets and cameras, however the largest influence can be to smartphones, most notably affecting iPhones, as they’re the one mainstream handset to not already use USB-C.

At present, Apple nonetheless makes use of its increasingly-dated proprietary Lightning port for its telephones – even brand-new fashions, just like the iPhone 14 Professional – however this legislation implies that, within the EU a minimum of, the corporate should provide USB-C inside a few years.

In apply, which means Apple will in all probability make the change with the iPhone 16 on the newest, but it surely’s more likely to make the change even earlier; because the wording within the press launch suggests this alteration will apply to all units which can be nonetheless on sale at that time – not simply ones which can be launched after the legislation change.

So we’ll doubtless see the change occur with the iPhone 15, particularly as there are already rumors that the iPhone 15 line may use USB-C. Plus, Apple has already moved to USB-C for iPads, so it at all times appeared like solely a matter of time earlier than its telephones would do the identical.

Evaluation: slightly little bit of wiggle room

Whereas the only – and almost definitely – resolution for Apple can be to interchange Lightning ports with USB-C on future iPhones worldwide, there are alternate options.

For one factor, this legislation solely applies to the EU, so Apple might select to solely promote USB-C iPhones within the EU, with different areas sticking to Lightning. However that might imply making two considerably completely different variations of every of its telephones, which feels like extra problem – and doubtless price – than it’s price.

It already does this to a lesser diploma, with the present iPhone 14 collection, which within the US forgo a bodily SIM card slot altogether, as an alternative solely counting on eSIM expertise, whereas the SIM tray stays on models offered in different markets internationally.

Apple might technically additionally preserve the Lightning port so long as there’s a USB-C port as properly, however that appears spectacularly unlikely; they don’t seem to be supposed to instantly compete towards one of the best gaming telephones on the market, a few of which sport two ports, for each portrait and panorama charging.

Lastly, Apple might ditch ports altogether and resort to wi-fi charging and knowledge switch solely on future telephones. There have been whispers of a portless iPhone for some time, however we suspect that if one comes in any respect it’s additional out than 2024.