Apple has switched from its Lightning connector to USB-C — why did it do this?

If consumers value exclusivity, or if it encourages Apple to innovate, then perhaps forced standardisation is not such a great idea

The iPhone 15 Pro after its introduction on the Apple campus earlier this month in Cupertino, California. Picture: AP Photo/Jeff Chiu

After many years of designing and selling a variety of different cables to power and charge its devices, Apple has slowly switched to USB-C chargers for all of its products.

The last device to swap is the iPhone, and it happened against Apple’s will. In October last year, the European Commission requested all phones and laptop producers switch to the USB-C connector (which had earlier been agreed on as a common standard).