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iPhone ordered by EU to use USB-C cables like the rest

Sat 25 Sep 2021    
EcoBalance
| 2 min read

The European Commission has decided to enforce a new proposal that requires all smartphones to use USB-C, including the iPhone.

Apple has always kept itself aloof from its competition by having different chargers and other accessories. The EU has, after almost a decade, decided that all mobile companies need to create standardize ports on mobile devices. Apple has always been a strong opponent against the standardisation of connectors claiming that it stifles creative growth.

The move to standardize in itself will be beneficial for the environment since cables and other accessories will not be made redundant by companies and add to the ever-increasing dumps around the world. According to the Commission’s research, discarded and unused charging cords create over 11,000 tonnes of trash per year.

USB-C will be required to be the standard port on all smartphones, tablets, headphones, and other electronic devices sold in the European Union. A typical individual has three mobile phone chargers, of which they use one or regularly. Earlier, there were over 30 different chargers to choose from; now there are usually just three options: USB-C, Lightning, and USB micro-A.

iPhone-EU-USB-Type-C-Lightning-Cable

Android phone makers, who have mostly switched to USB-C, will have little to no effect from this suggestion. As a result, Apple is the only company to oppose the proposals. Apple, as expected, has reacted angrily to the EU’s proposal:
“We remain concerned that strict regulation mandating just one type of connector stifles innovation rather than encouraging it, which in turn will harm consumers in Europe and around the world,” the company said in a statement.

Before it can go into force, the draft plan must be accepted by all EU member states. After that, manufacturers would have two years to switch over to USB-C in their goods.