US Inspired By EU To Get Apple To Ditch Lightning Ports For Good

Earlier this month, the European Union reached a tentative agreement to standardize all technological devices sold in its market, adopting USB-C ports as the standard. This move came as Apple insiders reported in May that the smartphone maker could finally be caving into pressure, and may ditch its Lightning port in favor of the USB-C port when the iPhone 15 lineup launches.

Now, US lawmakers are joining their European counterparts in petitioning Apple for the change, as three Democratic senators penned a letter advocating for the US Department of Commerce to implement a common charging standard in the country. 

Backed by Senators Edward Markey, Elizabeth Warren, and Bernie Sanders, the letter directly referenced the legislation passed by the EU, which will force all technology companies to comply with the common charging port by 2024. 

The trio noted that the “planned obsolescence” of charging accessories is “expensive and frustrating for consumers, and drives the proliferation of electronic waste,” and urged the Department of Commerce “to follow the EU’s lead by developing a comprehensive strategy to address unnecessary consumer costs, mitigate e-waste, and restore sanity and certainty to the process of purchasing new electronics.” 

“Innovation should benefit consumers. It should not come at their expense, saddle them with incompatible accessories, and compel them to purchase different charging equipment for each device they own,” summed up the letter. 

While this effort by the lawmakers is merely a recommendation, it could signal the tide in the US turning towards compatible charging accessories, just as the movement is making strides in Europe.

[via Input and United States Senate, cover image via Charnsitr | Dreamstime.com]