Make space in the wire drawer… Apple’s switching the iPhone’s charging cable (again). This time, it's opting for the more universal USB-C port (already on new MacBooks, iPads, Android phones, and gaming consoles). The update was announced at Apple’s annual iPhone event yesterday, along with details about the new iPhone 15 and other gadgets.
One wire to rule ’em all: Apple’s USB-C switch wasn’t exactly voluntary. An EU law passed last year requires all consumer tech in the union to have the universal port by the end of 2024. It’s meant to save consumers $$ and decrease waste.
Ultra Pro Max(ier): iPhone 15 also comes with 4X more camera megapixels and the ability to capture spatial videos (optimized for viewing on Apple’s Vision Pro headset). The top-tier 15 will cost $1.2K (100 bucks more than the priciest iPhone 14).
Touching grass: Apple announced some sustainability updates, including ditching leather in iPhone and Apple Watch accessories. It said new aluminum Apple Watches will be its first carbon-neutral devices.
At 15, the iPhone is still growing … Globally, only about a fifth of all smartphones sold are iPhones (in the US, that jumps to over 50%, from 41% in 2018). And while Android sales have sagged as consumers pull back on costly upgrades, iPhone sales haven’t fallen as much. Apple’s hoping its newest lineup can turn its hardware-revenue frown upside down.