In order to comply with new regulations introducing a single charging port for most electronic devices, Apple will have to change the charger for its iPhones in the European Union starting in the fall of 2024.
The use of USB-C chargers for devices, including phones, tablets, and cameras, must be mandated by the European Union by 2024, according to a vote in the European Parliament. With 602 votes in favor and only 13 votes against, the reform was approved by the European Parliament with a resounding majority. It is the first attempt of its kind anywhere in the world, highlighting the EU as a pioneer in reforming the tech sector.
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Apple and other manufacturers of mobile devices will therefore need to switch to the USB-C port. The iPhone manufacturer had previously expressed concern that the EU’s reform would stifle innovation and produce a great deal of waste, but the EU insisted that it was imperative to implement the reform immediately in order to stop the growth of technological waste. Before 2024 in Europe, Apple, Samsung, and Huawei must switch to USB-C for their mobile device charging ports in order to be in compliance with the regulations.
The change will have the biggest impact on Apple. Since many years ago, the American tech giant has created its own lines of devices that don’t share any accessories with those made by competitors.
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The vote, according to Ben Wood, chief analyst at CCS Insight, made it “inevitable” that the iPhone 15, which is scheduled to release in 2023, will have a USB-C port. This represents a win for common sense. Although Apple has a sizable installed base of lightning cable-powered devices, harmonizing on USB-C makes complete sense given its widespread adoption across all consumer electronics products, he said.
The new regulations also apply to laptops starting in 2026, giving manufacturers more time to adapt, even though many already use USB-C. By 2024, 13 different categories of electronic devices should have adopted the reform.
Older products are predicted to be gradually phased out as a result of the reform. At a press conference, Saliba stated that consumers would have been disproportionately affected by a ban on outdated chargers. Users of iPhone and Android devices complained about having to switch to different chargers for their devices, which sparked the reform, which had been discussed for years.