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USB-C Charging will become standard in most European devices in 2024

On Tuesday, the European Parliament voted in favor of switching the charges on a number of devices to a standard option by the end of 2024. Read on to learn more.

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by Aline Barbosa

Published on 10/06/2022

The European Parliament voted in favor of the change, which might complicate things for Apple in the next year.

USB-C charging
The European Parliament voted in favor of standard USB-C charging. Source: Adobe Stock.

On Tuesday, the European Parliament voted in favor of enforcing a standard charger for a series of electronic devices for the entire bloc by the end of 2024. The move will force Apple to switch from their Lightning port to USB-C charging in all its upcoming iPhones.

According to an EU press release, the Parliament voted overwhelmingly in favor of the law, with 602 voting to pass it against 13 against it. Under the new law, all cameras, mobile phones and tablets sold in the EU will require a USB-C charging port by the end of next year. Laptop computers are also part of the new rules, but only by the spring of 2026. 

The reason behind these changes, according to the European Union, is to reduce e-waste. With a unified USB-C charging port, people will need to carry a single charging for all of their devices. The EU’s problem with the generation of e-waste by discarded charges produces over 11,000 tonnes a year. 

USB-C charging ports are more commonly used in almost every Android device currently in the market. Apple also employs USB-C charging in its iPads and MacBooks. 

The new rules don’t need the EU Council’s approval before being enacted into law. However, experts believe the approval will happen regardless as a mere formality. 

USB-C fast charging standards are also changing

USB-C charging
Apple will need to introduce USB-C charging to iPhones in 2024. Source: Adobe Stock.

The EU’s press release says that the new law will also standardize fast charging for all devices that support it. However, it is unclear which standard will apply. Right now, smartphone and chipmakers, like Xiaomi and Qualcomm, have their own proprietary standards for fast charging. 

Currently, USB-PD is the most interoperable standard, used by many companies like Apple, Samsung and Google. Many believe it to be the likely candidate for the standardization of the EU’s mandate. 

Other than USB-C charging, another issue that’s worth watching out for are the rules for wireless charging. Since there’s been rumors that Apple may come out with a portless iPhone in the future, the common standard for wireless charging might also be reinforced. 

The press release states that the European Commision will also harmonize interoperability requirements by the end of next year for wireless charging. However, this action is not as difficult to implement, since almost all mobiles that support wireless charging rely on the same standard interoperable Qi.

iPhone hacks that will help make your life a lot easier

If you’re an iPhone user living in the EU, this might actually be good news for you. iPhone charges are widely known as expensive, and a unified USB-C charging could bring these costs down. Meanwhile, check the link below for some useful iPhone hacks that will help make your life easier. 

iPhone hacks

iPhone hacks that will help make your life easier

Apple's iPhone is one of the most popular devices in the world, but very few people know about these little hacks that can maximize the device’s full potential.

About the author

Aline Barbosa

Aline Barbosa is an editor, writer and learning-enthusiast. Passionate about music, books and human behavior. Curious about the unknown. Believer that learning is a life-long process.

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