Apple Retail Staff Trained to Suggest USB-C Charging Accessories for iPhone 15 at Point of Sale
2 min readApple retail employees are now undergoing training to inform customers about the latest changes in the upcoming iPhone 15 models. One of the major changes is the switch from the traditional Lightning charging cables to USB-C. This means that existing Lightning cables cannot be used with the new iPhone models.
Customers will be cautioned that while a USB-C to USB-C cable is included in the box, a USB-C charger will not be. They will be directed to purchase Apple USB-C power adapters and certified USB-C cables separately. This change has been influenced by new regulations in Europe and is projected to bring significant profits for Apple.
According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, shipments of Apple’s 20W USB-C chargers are expected to grow strongly in 2023, reaching a total of around 230-240 million units. This surge in demand is largely due to the switch to USB-C on iPhones.
The upcoming iPhone 15 series is expected to support faster charging speeds with MFi-certified USB-C chargers. It is also rumored that these new models may only officially support USB-C accessories certified by the Apple MFi program. To meet the demand, supplier Foxconn is currently producing MFi-certified accessories with USB-C connectors. There are also rumors that Apple may release a new AirPods Pro USB-C charging case.
In terms of charging speeds, some iPhone 15 models may support up to 35W, allowing for quicker charging with a suitable power adapter. While this switch to USB-C renders Lightning cables and USB-A chargers obsolete, it opens up a new revenue stream for Apple with the sales of USB-C accessories.
Customers interested in purchasing the new iPhone 15 models should consider budgeting for the additional expense of replacement chargers and cables. This is something to keep in mind when making a decision about upgrading to the latest iPhone.
For those eager to learn more about the iPhone 15 series, Apple will be unveiling these new models at an event on Tuesday, September 12. The event will be live-streamed on YouTube, Apple’s website, and the Apple Events app. Be sure to tune in for the latest updates and announcements.