Encountered the law the European Union requires manufacturers to enable charging using a USB-C port. This applies to smartphones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones, portable speakers, e-readers, portable navigation systems, keyboards, computer mice, headsets, handheld game consoles. Since April 2026, laptops must also be able to charge via a USB-C port
Many of these devices already have such a port nowadays. With smartphones, it’s just Apple not using them yet. From December 2024, that tech giant in the EU will no longer be able to launch a new iPhone with its own Lightning port.
The legislation leaves open the possibility of marketing devices that can only be recharged wirelessly. However, analysts and journalists don’t expect Apple to make that leap. For example, the Bloomberg news agency writes that iPhones with USB-C are already being tested.
Next year’s new iPhone 15s are believed to already have the port, though on paper Apple could still launch phones with a Lightning port in fall 2024. In October, marketing chief Greg Joswiak said the iPhone would meet the EU law, with some reluctance.
