If you are a longtime iPhone user but have only recently upgraded to the current-generation iPhone 15, you may have noticed it is not compatible with the charger you used for your previous iPhone. This might have led you to wonder: “Why did Apple change their chargers?”
Yes, the models in the iPhone 15 series — the iPhone 15, iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max — each come with a USB-C charging port, instead of Apple’s proprietary “Lightning” port that had long been standard on iPhones.
The good news is that you should be able to adapt to this change without too much hassle.
A Change Mandated by the European Union
In October 2022, the European Union (EU) passed a law requiring smartphones sold in the bloc after late 2024 to be chargeable with USB-C cables. Although Apple could have chosen to sell USB-C iPhones only in the EU in order to comply with this requirement, iPhone 15 models worldwide all use this particular connectivity standard.
When announcing the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, Apple hailed USB-C as “a universally accepted standard for charging and transferring data, allowing the same cable to charge iPhone, Mac, iPad, and the updated AirPods Pro (2nd generation).”
Apple had already brought USB-C to productivity-oriented Macs and iPads. So, it was relatively unsurprising that in 2023, the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max became the first “Pro” iPhone models to get USB-C, with Apple highlighting the new connector’s “USB 3 speeds — up to 20x faster than USB 2”.
In the press release unveiling the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, the Cupertino company added that the new USB-C connector, “together with new video formats, enables powerful pro workflows that were not possible before”. However, these workflows do require a USB 3 cable with 10Gb/s speeds.
It’s Easier to Make the Switch Than You Might Think
In New Zealand, Apple already includes a USB-C charge cable in the same box as the iPhone 15. However, buying a new USB-C charger and cable from elementalft can help you supercharge how you use your iPhone 15 unit on a day-to-day basis.
So, why did Apple change their chargers? The move can be attributed to a combination of legal necessity and the practical improvements made possible by USB-C. Purchase new USB-C accessories from us for delivery to your home in NZ, and you can soon be taking advantage of those enhancements in your own day-to-day life.