EU approves USB-C charger: iPhone and all affected devices

It has been a long time since the standardization of the USB-C charger was proposed in the European Union and, now, the European Parliament has given the go-ahead with a fairly large majority together with the European Council. This means that, in 2024, absolutely all electronic devices will have to adopt this measure, including Apple‘s iPhone.

From then on, the type C charger will become the norm for any smartphone, as well as the rest of the devices that complement it. In any case, and to clear up doubts, in this publication we tell you about all the devices related to your mobile that will be affected by the new regulations.

EU approves USB-C charger

The USB-C charger for everyone is official

From the end of the year 2024 , manufacturers will be required by law to equip their electronic devices with the USB-C connector. This was approved by the European Parliament with a clear position in favor with 602 votes and only 13 against. The European Union has ignored warnings from Apple, which is thinking of taking the law to court. A move that, if it doesn’t go well, could end up meaning a significant fine.

Conectores USB

The Cupertino company claims that this decision is detrimental to companies, since it does not allow them to carry out innovations for their creations and that it would increase electronic waste in the long term. However, the Commissioner for Competition of the European Commission, Margrethe Vestager, points out that the approval of this law will reduce waste by 980 million tons .

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EU Council Press
@EUCouncilPress
Common charger adopted 🔌👏

@EUCouncil has given its final approval to the common charger directive.

This means that in 2024, a USB-C port will become mandatory for many electronic devices such as mobile phones 📱, tablets, and headphones 🎧

More 👇

October 24, 2022 • 10:32

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twenty-one

So the iPhone 16 will be the last in its series to carry a Lightning connector unless Apple decides to adapt ahead of time. What is clear is that manufacturers in European countries have a period of 24 months to transfer the regulations to the national level and for it to come into force. Once this deadline is reached, these will be the devices affected by the standardization of the USB-C charger:

  • smartphones
  • tablets
  • Headphones
  • portable speakers
  • Smart Watches
  • smart bracelets

In these last two cases, it is important to note that the structure of both makes the introduction of the USB-C charger difficult , since it would take up more space and the brands would have to reject some components. This has given rise to the idea that the wearables of the future will use wireless charging to recover battery, although we can only wait to see the solution they find.

Next goals

This is not ending here. The European Union is on a mission to remove chargers from the box to reduce electronic waste, although this has negative consequences for the consumer. Mainly, because if you buy a smartphone with a 120W fast charge like the Xiaomi 12T Pro, you would have to go to the checkout to buy the corresponding charger.

Carga inalámbrica

The other measure that the European Union is considering has to do with wireless charging , which they want to extend to all mobiles regardless of their price and condition. This would provide an additional way to charge the device and would also help reduce the manufacture of common chargers. According to the roadmap, 2024 would be the deadline to have the requirements, although it would not be until years later when it would see the green light.