USB-C Port Is Now Mandatory for All Smartphones in Europe

The European Union proposed late last year that USB-C connectors be become universal charging interfaces for all smartphones and digital gadgets. 

We also learned that the EU would convene to discuss the future of this plan. As it turns out, the meeting took place today, and the authorities agreed to require USB-C connectors on all devices sold in the EU, including Apple’s iPhones. Take a look at the information down below!

Smartphones must now have USB-C ports by 2024!

Following consultations among EU organizations, the European Union has unified USB Type-C. The bill has been in the works for more than a decade. You may also look at the European Parliament’s official tweet.

“Today, we have made Europe’s common charger a reality!” European consumers were frustrated long with multiple chargers piling up with every new device. Now they will be able to use a single charger for all their portable electronics,” Alex Agius Saliba, the European Parliament’s reporter, said in a press release.

This is an intriguing proposal that would require firms to include a USB-C connector on all electronic devices sold in the EU by the autumn of 2024, including smartphones, digital tablets, cameras, headphones, and portable video game consoles. 

The EU attempts to decrease e-waste in the environment by implementing a “universal charger” for all electronic gadgets. 

It will also simplify users’ lives by eliminating the need to carry several charging cords for various gadgets. People will be able to save an additional 250 million euros every year due to this.

Will Apple comply?

It also implies that, whether Apple likes it or not, its iPhone models that still utilize the old Lightning connector for wired charging and data transmission will have to switch to USB-C. 

While Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo speculates that the company would ultimately perform the deed next year, we remain sceptical. 

Currently, the only iPhone that supports USB-C is a hardware engineer’s DIY creation that became one of the most expensive iPhones on eBay earlier this year.

Apple, on the other hand, has a sizable market in Europe. While Apple is said to have sold 241 million iPhones worldwide in 2021, 56 million of them were sold in Europe. 

As a result, if Apple chooses to keep the Lightning connector on new iPhones, it will be fascinating to watch how it responds to this legislation. However, since this agreement only covers wired charging, Apple may introduce a portless iPhone to avoid utilizing USB-C for charging.

When questioned whether the regulation is specifically geared at Apple, Thierry Breton, the EU’s internal market commissioner, answered it is not. “The regulation applies to everyone.” 

It is not used against anybody. We work for the consumers, not the businesses, and we need to provide these businesses clear guidelines for them to access the internal market,” Breton said.

According to reports, OEMs are now obliged to offer explicit information on the charging characteristics of new devices. Furthermore, billing solution compatibility may be implemented shortly.

There’s no news on when this will be implemented in other parts of the country. Do you think Apple will finally give up and release iPhones with USB-C ports? What are your thoughts on the new legislation? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.