With the ambition to limit electronic waste and make life easier for users, the European Union has been working for years to impose the only USB-C standard for charging mobile devices. A decision that would mainly impact Apple, the only manufacturer to use a proprietary charging format, the Lightning port.
USB-C mandatory on mobile devices from 2024 in Europe
Legislators in the European Union (EU) have finally agreed, and all smartphones sold in Europe - even the iPhone - will have to be equipped with USB-C before the fall of 2024. The law affects also other devices such as tablets, cameras, headphones, consoles and e-readers. For laptops, the requirement will come later.
USB-C at Apple from 2023 or choice of wireless?
Even if Apple has already expressed its disagreement with this law, the company will still have to comply, and some rumors even announce that iPhones will be USB-C from 2023, i.e. for the iPhone 15 range. Others, Apple would definitely consider removing a charging port in favor of a 100% wireless system.
According to the EU, the implementation of this decision could save users 250 million euros per year, and eliminate 11,000 tons of electronic waste annually.
