The arrival of USB type C to the iPhone has been highly anticipated and necessary. Given the new EU laws, Apple must implement this new connector on its iPhone. Although it will benefit us users, in many aspects, in this post we will review some of the reasons that Apple has given to continue using (the already outdated) Lightning connector
They wanted to go against the principles of the norm
One of the fundamental pillars to unify connectors by the EU is the reduction of electronic waste. “The chargers that end up in the garbage can or in the drawer are equivalent to about 11,000 tons of waste per year in the EU,” they explain from the European Parliament . It is a measure that wants to tackle several problems, including an environmental problem. However, one of the most famous reasons that Apple gave at the time for not implementing USB-C was that this measure would create even more electronic waste , since they argued that all Lightning accessories and cables, since they could not be used, would become into even more e-waste.
Facing customers, Apple explained that it was more convenient to continue with Lightning, because when moving to a new generation of iPhone, the charger is reused. In fact, they have taken this argument so seriously that iPhones no longer include a charger for precisely that very reason.
Apple also used the innovation card to oppose the universal connector. They argued that the fact of having an imposed standard “stifles” innovation, instead of “encouraging” it. In addition, they are concerned about customers, since they do not want to “restrict the industry’s ability to innovate.”
But Apple contradicts itself with what it does
Years before the issue was brought back to the table, Apple “innovated” by embracing the USB Type-C connector in its own products. In fact, he wanted to innovate so much that he removed all the ports from the MacBook Pro and Air, leaving two USB-C ports and forcing thousands of people to have to buy adapters , when before this was not necessary.
And speaking of innovation, USB-C is compatible with USB 3.0, USB4 standards and Thunderbolt connections, which allow you to connect all kinds of peripherals, such as monitors. Apple itself advertises this on its products. But how much innovation do you want for a port that is over 10 years old and whose transfer speed is USB 2.1? Lightning has a lousy transfer speed, and it’s still on phones that cost more than a thousand euros. They claim to have “the most powerful iPhone in history” every year, but the power is not in the connector.
Apple’s innovation goes through USB-C and the wireless world. It is not our invention, but it is the lines that they are following. In fact, when USB-C jumped from computers to iPads, they championed the versatility of this connection and all the new capabilities that they would have with the arrival of USB-C, to give an example. In fact, if we look at Apple’s ecosystem of products, everything can already be charged with USB Type-C and wireless charging. And while accessories like the Magic Mouse or Magic Keyboard continue with Lightning, the only major product that continues with that connector is the iPhone.
