Europe unifies a common charging port for mobile devices

This change will reduce fuss and save money for consumers

The EU requires electronic devices including phones, tablets, headsets, portable speakers, game consoles, cameras to be equipped with standards. USB-C charger in order to reduce the amount electronic waste because of the excess of cables and chargers. In addition to the charging port, manufacturers also have to make fast charging standards that can be used crosswise.

Currently, all electronic devices running the new Android operating system have switched to using USB-C charging ports and only Apple uses its own standard on the iPhone.

With this move, the US technology giant Apple will have to change the connection port on its iPhone products to be consumed in Europe by 2024.

USB-C charging. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)

This is the world’s first agreement on a common charging standard for mobile devices. The agreement was reached after the companies were unable to agree on a common solution to the issue.

The use of a common charging port style was promoted by the European Commission (EC) a decade ago. For a long time, people who use iPhone and Android phones often complain about having to use different charging cords for their devices. iPhones are charged from the Lightning charging cable while Android phones are charged using the USB-C connector.

According to an EC study, 50% of the mobile phone chargers consumed in 2018 had a USB micro-B connector, while 29% had a USB-C connector and 21% had a Lightning charging cable.

EU Commissioner for Industry Thierry Breton said the deal is estimated to save consumers around $250 million ($267 million).

In a statement, the European Parliament said that by autumn 2024, USB Type-C will become the universal charging port for all mobile phones, tablets and camcorders in the EU.

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