The European Union has ordered tech companies specialized in gadgets manufacturing to use similar charging ports for all devices beginning in 2024.
The decision was unanimously supported by 602 lawmakers and opposed by 9 members to enforce Android – base USB type-C connectors in all smart devices.
The union claimed that the different charging ports increase customers’ operating costs for each device since an average customer uses more than one product design.
It was estimated that the acceptance of the standard would save about £250M for customers. So, USB-C connectors now mark the standard for device manufacturing.
While Android-based companies may not be affected, Apple (the largest mobile phone manufacturer) must change its charging port to suit the new standard. Conversely, the common charging port may suggest a sense of uniformity which could encourage customers to buy Apple’s USB-C products and may also dwindle Apple’s product uniqueness.
Apple had warned that the uniformity in charging would discourage innovation and increase e-waste due to the abandonment of the former charging port to enforce the new standard. Other manufacturers (Samsung, Huawei, etc.) are also expected to comply with the directive.
Apple Company has been marked for its unique device operability and accessories. Much more than saving cost, this action would place tech companies on a more similar comparison scale in terms of charging and file or data transfers. This also implies that fast-charging devices would only be able to operate at a 100-watt charging rate when designed with a USB-C port.
Other devices would follow suit, but the decisions would become mandatory for laptops from January 2026.
Definitely, it is certain that Apple’s lightning port will soon be obsolete, but what means would be employed to keep older accessories working through USB – Type C?
The European Commission said it would make life easier and cheaper for customers. But would this attempt to weigh Apple devices on the same scale as other devices?
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Photo by Hal Gatewood
