Apple has officially announced that its upcoming iPhone 15 will bid farewell to the proprietary lightning charging port, replacing it with the widely accepted USB-C cable. This revelation comes in response to a directive from the European Union, which pushed for this change to standardize charging methods.
During its annual event, Apple unveiled the iPhone 15 alongside a new Apple Watch series boasting a more advanced chip. However, some industry analysts noted that this year’s announcements from Apple lacked the “headline-grabbing” updates that had become customary.
Ben Wood from CCS Insight commented, “It isn’t a surprise given the maturity of the iPhone and Watch. It reflects 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 hit the market next week, marks the first time since 2012 that Apple has adopted a different charging port. The USB-C cable, already compatible with various Apple laptops and iPads, will also work with new AirPods Pro earphones and wired EarPods headphones.
The EU’s directive for a standardized charging port aims to simplify consumers’ lives, reduce costs, and promote the reuse of chargers to combat e-waste. However, some critics argue that this transition may increase discarded cables in the future.
In response to these concerns, Apple took the opportunity to make a series of environmental commitments during its launch event. These include making the new Apple Watch series carbon neutral for the first time and increasing the use of recycled materials in batteries and other components of the Watch and iPhone.
Furthermore, Apple announced its decision to cease using leather in any of its accessories and pledged to achieve carbon neutrality as a business by 2030. Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, emphasized that the iPhone 15 series represents the “best and most capable iPhones we’ve ever made.” The iPhone 15 and 15 Plus feature brighter screens and improved camera systems, while the high-end iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max come with a titanium frame for enhanced durability.
Notable Pro and Pro Max additions include an “action button” that replaces the mute switch, offering customization for various functions. The new Apple Watch will introduce gesture control, allowing users to answer or end calls by double-tapping two fingers together on the hand wearing the device.
Despite these enhancements, some industry experts question whether consumers will be willing to pay the premium prices for these devices, especially compared to their predecessors. In the UK, the iPhone 15 Pro starts at £999.
Paolo Pescatore, founder of PP Foresight, commented, “Convincing users to fork out for these new devices will not be easy during a cost-of-living crisis.” However, he acknowledged that the cumulative impact of the new features could enhance the overall user experience, which is highly valued among Apple’s core user base.
Apple’s shares experienced a slight dip following the announcement, which failed to reverse a recent sharp drop attributed to reports that the Chinese government had banned officials from using iPhones. Launching Huawei’s new smartphone series in China has also contributed to investor unease.
Apple fared relatively well in the global smartphone market, which saw a decline in shipments from 294.5 million to 268 million phones in the second quarter of 2023. The company’s shipments decreased the least among major smartphone manufacturers, dropping from 46.5 million phones to 45.3 million, according to data from Counterpoint Research.
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