The iPhone 15 will be available for purchase starting on Friday. It includes new features such as an upgraded camera and display, an action button, and a transition from the Lightning charging cord to the universal standard USB-C.
A switch in charging cables was made from the 30-pin connector to Lightning over a decade ago, causing concern for customers who had already invested in cables and accessories. Apple leadership decided to make the move to Lightning with the iPhone 5. However, unlike that switch, the switch to USB-C is necessary due to European regulation requiring a common charger for mobile devices by 2024, as part of their efforts to reduce e-waste.
USB-C is a commonly used connector for charging various devices like iPads, MacBooks, gaming devices, headphones, etc. iPhones and AirPods use Lighting connectors. Eventually, all previous charging cables will be replaced by USB-C, allowing users to carry around just one cable instead of multiple.
