Apple iPhone may have to switch to USB-C in Europe. What does that mean for your smartphone in the US?
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Loading... - martha luna
- 07 Oct 2022
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As European consumers may soon be able to use just one charger for all mobile phones and tablets, the question looms: Will your iPhone here in America also soon get a USB-C connector?
The European Parliament approved Tuesday a law requiring a uniform charging cord for all smartphones and mobile devices, which would force companies like Apple to ditch their unique chargers. (Looking at you, Lightning ports.)
The new rules would require all mobile phones, tablets and cameras sold across the European Union's 27 member states to feature a USB-C charging port by the end of 2024 and would extend to laptops in the spring of 2026.
The guidelines were provisionally agreed upon in June and still need the final approval from EU member states before becoming official.
Here’s what you need to know about the cable reform:
What did the EU decide?
The new rules would make the USB-C port the new standard for portable devices sold in the EU, meaning consumers will be able to use a single charger for small and medium-sized portable electronic devices.
The rules, which have been more than 10 years in the making, aim to reduce electronic waste and help relieve the financial burden on consumers. The European Commission estimated that switching to a single charger would save about 250 million euros (roughly $247 million) per year for consumers.
“The common charger will finally become a reality in Europe,” Alex Agius Saliba, a member of the European Parliament, said in a press release. “This future-proof law allows for the development of innovative charging solutions in the future, and it will benefit everyone — from frustrated consumers to our vulnerable environment.”
Can Apple chargers be used in Europe?
The law would effectively force Apple to switch its proprietary Lightning charger to USB-C on iPhones.
Apple’s current iPad models and MacBooks are already equipped with a USB-C port. Read More…
