By Apple will have to change the connector on iPhones sold in Europe by 2024, following new rules created by the European Union (EU).
The rule, announced at a press conference in Strasbourg on Tuesday, mean Apple will have to change the charging port on its iPhones in all 27 EU countries.
Currently, iPhones use Apple’s proprietary power connector technology ‘Lightning’, while Android-based devices use USB-C connectors.
The EU wants a uniform charging cord for smartphones and smartphone other devices to reduce electronic waste, but Apple argues this would limit innovation and hurt consumers.
The union estimates that discarded or unused chargers account for 11,000 metric tons of e-waste in Europe every year.
Buyers in EU countries will also be able to choose whether to purchase new devices with or without a charging device, as part of new EU regulations.