The European Parliament has reached a final decision on the use of universal USB-C ports, fast charging technology and bundled smartphone chargers. Smartphones and tablets, as well as headphones, digital cameras, handheld game consoles and other electronic devices that charge, will have to adopt USB-C by 2024, otherwise they won't be able to make it onto European store shelves.
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By 2024, consumer electronics will have to use a single standard for charging. Essentially, this will allow future Apple iPhones to be charged using Samsung's mains charger and cable, and vice versa. Laptops will also have to adapt, but at an as yet unspecified date. iPhones use a proprietary Lightning charging port that is not compatible with the USB-C standard, and no other smartphone manufacturer has this feature.
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When asked if the decision is directed against the company Apple, therefore EU Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton specified that: “It is not taken against anyone. It works for consumers, not companies.” OEMs will also be prevented from attaching USB-C mains chargers to consumer electronics. Before the interim decision becomes law, it will have to be signed by all 27 EU countries and the European Parliament.
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According to the European Parliament, consumer electronics manufacturers must adapt by the fall of 2024, when the law will come into effect. However, it should be noted that this new law only applies to wired charging and does not apply to wireless technology. In connection with this, there are rumors that the company would Apple could circumvent the EU rule by removing the physical charging port from its mobile devices altogether and relying on its wireless MagSafe technology.
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As for Samsung, the Korean tech giant already uses USB-C on most of its devices and has stopped on most of its smartphone models as well Galaxy pack chargers, which is also covered by the law. The company thus already more or less meets the requirements of the European Parliament, but other OEM manufacturers, like just now Apple, will have to adapt over the next few years.
List of devices that will need to have USB-C:
- Smart phones
- Tablets
- Electronic readers
- Notebooks
- Digital cameras
- Headphones
- Headsets
- Handheld video game console
- Portable speakers
- Keyboard and mouse
- Portable navigation devices
