Apple has confirmed its new iPhone will not feature its proprietary lightning charging port, after the EU forced the change.
The tech giant said that the iPhone 15, unveiled at its annual event on Tuesday, would use a USB-C cable as the “universally accepted standard.”
A new Apple Watch series was also unveiled with a more advanced chip.
But one analyst said a lack of “headline-grabbing” updates from Apple this year would disappoint some.
“It isn’t a surprise given the maturity of the iPhone and Watch,” said Ben Wood from CCS Insight.
“It reflects just how refined the iPhone and Watch devices are and how tough it has become to deliver truly disruptive updates every year.”
Apple released a USB-C-to-lightning port adapter for £29 ($36). The product connects the lightning port accessories people will have built up over the years to its new USB-C-enabled iPhones or iPads.
The latest iPhone handset, which goes on sale next week, is the first since 2012 to feature an alternative charging port.
The firm said the USB-C cable – which already works with many Apple laptops and iPads – will also work on new versions of its AirPods Pro earphones and wired EarPods headphones.
The EU had told the tech giant to ditch its proprietary charging ports to make life easier for consumers, save them money, and help reduce e-waste by encouraging re-use of chargers.
The company also confirmed it would no longer use leather in any of its accessories and pledged to become carbon neutral as a business by 2030.
Apple boss Tim Cook said the new iPhone 15 range included the “best and most capable iPhones we’ve ever made”.
The iPhone 15 and 15 Plus have been given brighter screens and improved camera systems, while the high-end iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max now come with a titanium frame, meant to improve its strength.
The Pro and Max also have an “action button” in place of the mute switch that can be customised for a variety of functions.
