Topline
In a move that will force Apple to switch over to USB-C chargers for its upcoming iPhones, the European Parliament on Tuesday voted overwhelmingly in favor of enforcing a common charger standard for all mobile devices sold in the bloc by the end of 2024.
The EU's new rules will force Apple to switch over to USB-C charging for its iPhones.
Key Facts
The law passed with a landslide 602-13 vote, according to an EU press release.
Under these new rules, all mobile phones, tablets and cameras sold in the EU will be required to have a USB Type-C charging port by the end of 2024, and all laptop computers by the spring of 2026.
The European Union argues this will ensure that people will need to carry only a single charger for all their devices, thereby reducing e-waste.
USB Type-C charging ports are widely used on nearly all Android smartphones currently sold in the market along with Apple’s iPads and Macbooks.
The rules will now have to be approved by the EU Council before being enacted into law, but the approval is expected to be a formality.
What We Don’t Know
The press release notes that the law will also standardize fast charging across all devices that support it, but it is unclear what standard will be adopted. Currently, both smartphone makers like Xiaomi and chipmakers like Qualcomm have implemented their own proprietary standards for fast charging across various devices. At present, USB-PD (Power Delivery) most interoperable standard currently used by the likes of Apple, Google, Samsung and others, making it the likeliest candidate for the EU’s standardization mandate.
What To Watch For
Rules for wireless charging. Amid reports that Apple may be mulling a fully ‘portless’ iPhone in the future, common standards for wireless charging may also need to be enforced. The release notes that the European Commission will “harmonize interoperability requirements” for wireless charging by the end of 2024. This should not be difficult as nearly all smartphones that support wireless charging—including Apple’s iPhones—rely on the interoperable Qi charging standard.
Big Number
11,000 tonnes. That is the amount of e-waste generated by discarded or unused chargers across the EU every year.
Chief Critic
Apple, which uses the proprietary Lighting connector on its iPhones and other portable devices has been the most vocal opponent of this move by the EU. In a statement, the company previously said: “We remain concerned that strict regulation mandating just one type of connector stifles innovation rather than encouraging it, which in turn will harm consumers in Europe and around the world.” Despite these concerns, Apple’s iPads and MacBooks have been using USB-C chargers for several years now.
Further Reading
Apple Will Be Forced to Use New Charger After EU Votes for USB-C (Bloomberg)
