New iPhone 15 will use USB-C chargers: What to know about Apple's charging cord switch

While the headline announcement from Apple's "Wonderlust" event Tuesday may have been the introduction of the iPhone 15 line, consumers will also be faced with a change in how their devices charge.

Apple confirmed that its phones will move away from the company's Lightning charging system to a USB-C port. The changes will begin with the iPhone 15 line and AirPod charging case, the company announced.

The change comes on the heels of regulations passed by the European Union to standardize the charging ports for electronic devices sold on the continent.

Here's what was announced about the changes to Apple's charging technology at the "Wonderlust" event.

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What products will have USB-C charging?

The change will premiere on the iPhone 15 and a charging case for Airpods.

MacBooks and iPads already use USB-C chargers.

Why is Apple changing the charging cord?

The change in charging technology is in response to laws passed by the Council of the European Union in 2022.

The law applies to a range of electronic devices including mobile phones, tablets, e-readers, headphones, earbuds and portable loudspeakers.

"We all have at least three mobile phone chargers at home. Looking for the right charger, either at home or at work, can be quite annoying," Jozef Síkela, European Union Minister for Industry and Trade said in a press release at the time of the law's passing. "Having a charger that fits multiple devices will save money and time and also helps us reduce electronic waste."

At the Wall Street Journal’s Tech Live conference last October, Greg Joswiak, Apple’s senior vice president of worldwide marketing, said the tech giant would abide by the regulations.