EU rules all mobile phones and tablets must have the same charging plug

All phones and tablets must use the same charging ports, the EU has agreed.

A brand new settlement will drive all corporations to make USB-C the widespread charging port on all their smaller digital gadgets by Autumn 2024, the EU has introduced. Laptops can be required to make use of the port a while after that.

The ruling would require Apple to revamp the iPhone, and drive it to drop the Lightning cable that has been used on its gadgets for 10 years. Most Android phones already use a USB-C port to cost up.

The EU has argued that the numerous charging ports utilized by totally different corporations encourages digital waste and results in confusion for patrons.

But corporations together with Apple have argued that having flexibility in what charging ports to incorporate of their gadgets permits for higher efficiency. Apple’s Lightning cable is smaller than the normal USB-C plug, for example.

Apple’s resistance to the plug could also be weakening, nevertheless, and a current Bloomberg report steered that it was engaged on a USB-C enabled iPhone. It has already switched from Lightning to USB-C in its iPads, in addition to its laptops.

And some studies have steered that Apple intends to put off the charging plug totally, as an alternative encouraging customers to energy their gadgets by means of wi-fi charging.

The EU mentioned that it’s going to herald new rulings meant to standardise these wi-fi charging applied sciences in the future.

The new settlement can be formally permitted by the EU’s parliament and council after the summer season recess, and it’s going to then revealed in the EU’s official journal. It will go into impact 20 days later, and the rules will then apply after 24 months.

Devices which can be first offered earlier than Autumn 2024 is not going to have to adjust to the new rules.