The EU has been trying to get manufacturers of smartphones and other portable electronic devices to standardize on a common charging port since the days of the microUSB. Ultimately, most of the industry opted for USB-C, with the exception of one black sheep: Apple. Cupertino has been arguing for years against a common port, but the battle could end in a few days.
EU lawmakers and representatives of EU countries are expected to make final decision on June 7 (Tuesday), reports Reuters. Insiders say smartphones, tablets and wireless headphones will need to use a USB-C port for charging. Note that this is for the port on the device itself, the loophole of providing an adapter will no longer apply.
Some decisions have yet to be finalized – some lawmakers are pushing for laptops to be included in the regulations as well. Many laptops already use USB-C, but there are many that still use a basic barrel plug as well. This requirement would impact some manufacturers (ironically, not Apple), so there is opposition.
A USB-C to Lightning cable
The next battle will be over wireless charging: the EU could request support for a common standard by 2025. However, some countries and the European Commission are calling for a longer transition period “for technical reasons”. However, it is not clear what rules the EU has in mind. Nowadays, most phones that support wireless charging can use Qi (but prefer to use faster proprietary technology).
Analysts are already reporting that Apple has begun testing iPhones with USB-C, which will be released in 2023 (this year’s models will remain on Lightning). Some reports claim that Apple is also preparing an adapter that will allow consumers to continue using their old Lightning accessories with upcoming USB-C packaged iPhones. It may be available separately, but it’s unlikely to be included in the retail package – the iPhone 5 doesn’t come with a 30-pin to Lightning adapter, for example.
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