William Gallagher
Europe's ongoing debate and litigation over making USB-C the required standard charging port for all smartphones may be finalized on June 7, 2022.
The EU has previously been reported to be nearing agreement, following its proposals evolving for more than a decade. Now the final decision may be made as soon as June 6, 2022.
According to Reuters, lawmakers and representatives from EU counties are now due to meet on that date. It's the second such meeting on the topic, and unnamed sources say that there is a strong push to get the decision done.
As well as requiring a USB-C charging port on smartphones, however, the latest version of the proposal extends this to laptops. Lawmakers now also want to create an agreed standard for wireless charging.
Both of these issues could delay the decision. Extending the USB-C charging point to laptops, for instance is likely to affect Samsung. The European Commission wants a longer lead-time than some members do for all-wireless charging standards.
Apple has not specifically commented on the June 7 meeting, but it has previously argued strongly that forcing the adoption of USB-C could create more e-waste.
Separately, it's been rumored that 2023's iPhone 15 will adopt USB-C.
If mandated, the law would replace the existing micro-USB mandate. It's not clear what will happen if a future version of USB replaces the USB-C connector with another form factor.
Charles Martin
Christine McKee
Wesley Hilliard
Malcolm Owen
Andrew Orr
Sponsored Content
45 Comments
What a stupid waste of time for government. Having many different types of charges on cell phones is annoying, but it’s such a small dumb thing. Instead of working important problems, government is using its immense power to solve a tiny annoyance.
As far as I’m concerned Apple doesn’t need to continue to offer products to any Europeans. Dictating product design by using government is communism. And I’m speaking as someone who is a liberal Democrat. Throw them off the bus!! Just like we did with Russia!!!
When will the EU force the USA to use their type of electrical outlets and 220V instead of 120V? They think what they want is the best of everything but what phones and laptops do they produce? None? One or two?
This request/law really is a backward initiative. What if USB-C ports will be obsolete in the (near) future, as something much better will be invented? Will the EU issue a new law then? Really? We have no bigger problems to resolve?