iPhone 15 USB-C connectors a double-edged sword for Apple?

tech.hindustantimes.com:

Apple is expected to unveil its new iPhone 15 series next Tuesday, 12 September at its Apple Event in Cupertino, California.

One of the expected changes to the iPhone is something that the company most likely didn't want, but was forced into doing thanks to international regulations.

Last year, the European Parliament ruled that all mobile phones, tablets and cameras sold in the European Union must be fit with a standardized USB Type-C charging port. For non-Apple users, such as Android users, the change doesn't make much of a difference, since most phones already use the USB-C port.

It didn't make economic sense for Apple to only create USB-C ports for its products in Europe, so the company decided to update the entire line, starting with the iPhone 15.

But for Apple, and its users, the change from Apple's proprietary Lightning port to USB-C, which must be implemented across Europe by the end of 2024, could be a double-edged sword.

Apple has long been famous for creating accessories for its brand that are functional only with Apple products.

The strategy has allowed the company to profit from users adding new accessories, such as adapter cables, headphones and chargers, directly from the brand, instead of third-party manufacturers. It's also helped keep its users loyal to Apple.

But Apple also has some concerns about how forcing the company to adapt to a standardized charging port could impact its competitive edge.

The company initially pushed back against the EU's ruling, potentially because adopting the same type of charger as competitors such as Samsung could make it that much easier for Apple users to jump ship to other brands.

They also argued that all of the current Lightning cables could end up being binned.

But while