EU agrees single mobile charging port in blow to Apple

IPhone 12 telephones are seen on the new Apple Retailer on Broadway in downtown Los Angeles, California, U.S., June 24, 2021. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson

BRUSSELS, June 7 (Reuters) – Apple (AAPL.O) should change the connector on iPhones offered in Europe by 2024 after EU nations and lawmakers agreed on Tuesday to a single cell charging port for cellphones, tablets and cameras in a world first.

The political intervention, which the European Fee mentioned would make life simpler for customers and save them cash, got here after firms failed to achieve a standard resolution.

Brussels has been pushing for a single cell charging port for greater than a decade, prompted by complaints from iPhone and Android customers about having to modify to completely different chargers for his or her units.

iPhones are charged from a Lightning cable, whereas Android-based units use USB-C connectors.

Half the chargers offered with cellphones in 2018 had a USB micro-B connector, whereas 29% had a USB-C connector and 21% a Lightning connector, in keeping with a 2019 Fee research.

“By autumn 2024, USB Kind-C will develop into the frequent charging port for all cellphones, tablets and cameras within the EU,” the European Parliament mentioned in an announcement.

EU trade chief Thierry Breton mentioned the deal would save round 250 million euros ($267 million) for customers.

“It can additionally enable new applied sciences reminiscent of wi-fi charging to emerge and to mature with out letting innovation develop into a supply of market fragmentation and client inconvenience,” he mentioned.

Apple, which has warned the proposal would harm innovation and create a mountain of digital waste, didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.

“We’re proud that laptops, e-readers, earbuds, keyboards, pc mice, and moveable navigation units are additionally included,” mentioned lawmaker Alex Agius Saliba who steered the controversy on the parliament.

Laptops should adjust to the laws inside 40 months of it getting into into drive. The EU govt may have the ability in future to harmonise wi-fi charging programs.

The actual fact the deal additionally covers e-readers, earbuds and different applied sciences will affect Samsung (005930.KS), Huawei (HWT.UL) and different system makers.

($1 = 0.9364 euros)

Reporting by Foo Yun Chee
Enhancing by Louise Heavens and Mark Potter

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