The EU have agreed legislation, alternate link, forcing all future smartphones sold in the EU — including Apple's iPhone — be equipped with USB-C port for wired charging by autumn 2024. The rule will also apply to other electronic devices including tablets, digital cameras, headphones, handheld video game consoles, and e-readers. Laptops will have to comply with the rule at a later date.
The legislation still needs to be approved by the EU Parliament and Council later this year, but this appears to be a formality. In a press release, the European Parliament stated clearly that the law will be in place "by autumn 2024." By this date, all devices covered by the law and sold in the EU will have to use USB-C for wired charging.
EU agrees single mobile charging port in blow to Apple:
Apple (AAPL.O) will have to change the connector on iPhones sold in Europe by 2024 after EU countries and lawmakers agreed on Tuesday to a single mobile charging port for mobile phones, tablets and cameras in a world first.
The political intervention, which the European Commission said would make life easier for consumers and save them money, came after companies failed to reach a common solution.
Brussels has been pushing for a single mobile charging port for more than a decade, prompted by complaints from iPhone and Android users about having to switch to different chargers for their devices.
iPhones are charged from a Lightning cable, while Android-based devices use USB-C connectors.
Half the chargers sold with mobile phones in 2018 had a USB micro-B connector, while 29% had a USB-C connector and 21% a Lightning connector, according to a 2019 Commission study.
"By autumn 2024, USB Type-C will become the common charging port for all mobile phones, tablets and cameras in the EU," the European Parliament said in a statement.
EU industry chief Thierry Breton said the deal would save around 250 million euros ($267 million) for consumers.
"It will also allow new technologies such as wireless charging to emerge and to mature without letting innovation become a source of market fragmentation and consumer inconvenience," he said.
(Score: 4, Funny) by coolgopher on Wednesday June 08 2022, @05:26AM (3 children)
While I won't be sad to see lightning go, you're not going to get me away from my magsafe!
(Score: 2) by Ken_g6 on Wednesday June 08 2022, @05:32AM (2 children)
There are plenty of magnetic detachable USB-C cables out there. The point is that a cable can connect any USB-C charger to any phone. They don't care what's in the middle
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday June 08 2022, @06:12AM (1 child)
I have 2 styles, the problem is that there isn't a set standard of connector, so, you may not be able to get additional ones later if you need more.
(Score: 2) by coolgopher on Thursday June 09 2022, @03:28AM
Indeed, and finding non-Apple mag adapters that can handle the higher juice of a charging laptop isn't entirely easy.