[Poll] iPhones Will Be Required to Use USB-C by 2024 - European Union Policy

[Deactivated] on 08/06/2022 - 21:07
Last edited 08/06/2022 - 21:39 by 1 other user

In today's news,

The European Union (EU) has reached an agreement to make USB-C a requirement for iPhones and all other mobile phones by September 2024. The plan extends to additional consumer electronics using wired charging, including digital cameras, tablets, and, at a later date, laptops.

I'm not sure how I feel about this.

While I agree that it is easier for consumers to have only 1 type of charger, I don't think it is in our best interest to have only one option. Say cars, for example, I wouldn't like it if there were only 1 type of car tire on the market. I feel like this is killing innovation. In fact, I'm not sure how many things are innovating in Europe these days; they are kind of killing their tech sector.

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2022/06/iphones-to-require-u…

Today's announcement shows the EU Parliament and Council agreeing to terms for universal USB-C charging, something the parliament has spent 10 years arguing for. In September, the European Commission announced its intent to enact legislation requiring USB-C charging. The next step will be for the EU Parliament and Council to formally approve the agreement.

Once approved, the policy will also apply to handheld video game consoles, e-readers, earbuds, headphones, and headsets. Products in the named categories "that are rechargeable via a wired cable will have to be equipped with a USB Type-C port, regardless of their manufacturer," the EU Parliament said in today's announcement.

Laptops will also have to comply within 40 months after the policy takes effect. With many USB-C charging laptops being ultralights, it'll be interesting to see how budget designs handle the policy.

** Edit **
Not sure what will happen when USB-C will become obsolete (in about 10 years). I suppose that those who will innovate and create the next generation USB will have to ship the models in EU with an adapter. EU change the legislation 10 years later, that's a bit messy.

10 years ago, when they started the discussions, the agreement was for the mighty Micro USB to be the standard. https://files.cablewholesale.com/pwimages/10u2-031xx_03_th.j… luckily few years later USB-C came along but it will become obsolete as well.

Poll Options

  • 126
    I agree with the decision
  • 21
    I don't agree with the decision
Mobile

Comments

  • Hybroid on 08/06/2022 - 21:09
    +1

    I quite like the Lightning connector and have so many cables and accessories for it that are about to be obsolete, but I suppose this does make sense for future.

    If anyone's wondering, the previous EU discussions was around one port on the charger itself to be USB-C, instead of both ends now.

    • deme on 08/06/2022 - 21:17
      +3

      Lighting has issues with arcing which is why it isn't used for charging macbooks.
      The problem of arcing is reduced due to the chip in the cable limiting the voltage until a connection is made.

      You wouldn't have all these cables if Apple had just gone with USB-C.

    • Caped Baldy on 08/06/2022 - 21:19
      +4

      Apple already uses the usb-c standard on a lot of devices nowadays.

      Lightning was great for a while but it's been left behind in data transfer rates and charging speeds. Still not a fan of apple having MFI protection and effectively forcing people to buy the overpriced cables when the lightning cables first came out.

  • Caped Baldy on 08/06/2022 - 21:16
    +11

    Apple will probably announce portless iPhone..

    • deme on 08/06/2022 - 21:19
      +4

      They'll probably try argue it's not a phone it's an internet communications device.

      • Caped Baldy on 08/06/2022 - 21:20
        +2

        Advanced iPod touch.

      • sjj89 on 09/06/2022 - 00:53

        The law applies to all personal electronic devices

        • deme on 09/06/2022 - 07:50

          Okay then its an Apple-owned device for non-personal use only.

          • Caped Baldy on 09/06/2022 - 08:13

            @deme: They'll go the adobe strategy. All devices are licensed out to users.

  • apsilon on 08/06/2022 - 21:21
    +2

    I think it's great. Obviously the first thought of many is Apple but if you look around there are so many devices still being released unnecessarily with USB micro and even mini connectors. Standardising on the latest connector type is a win for consumers IMO.

    • [Deactivated] on 08/06/2022 - 21:28
      +1

      If this legislation would have been passed 10 years ago when it was initially proposed, we would have been stuck with micro USB https://files.cablewholesale.com/pwimages/10u2-031xx_03_th.j…

      • deme on 08/06/2022 - 21:36
        +3

        You realise you can update legislation?

        • [Deactivated] on 08/06/2022 - 21:42
          +3

          It's an agreement between all the EU states. Not that simple. It will take them another 10 - 20 years to agree to change or remove it.

          • deme on 09/06/2022 - 07:59
            +1

            @[Deactivated]:

            1. EU passes stuff quickly all the time.
            2. Something debilitating would be fixed quickly
            3. Imagine saying this about standardising AC power plugs
            4. Apple are just being dicks
            5. USB-PD allows for variable voltage and current, while the max current is 5A, hopefully you'll remember your high school science about power
            6. USB-PD (via USB C) supports 240W. Come back here when your phone needs more than 240W or EU mandates your kettle uses it.
            • Sleeqb7 on 09/06/2022 - 09:25

              @deme: Well the USB standard is equally about data transfer as it is power, so there are other factors.
              Even in the last handful of years, there have been multiple USB-C standards that have resulted in different data throughputs, but presumably there will be a hard cap on it at some stage.

              With that said, I agree with you and support the legislation.

              • apsilon on 09/06/2022 - 09:28

                @Sleeqb7:

                Even in the last handful of years, there have been multiple USB-C standards

                I think you're confusing USB version with connector type. There's been USB 3.0, 3.1 and 3.2 in the last ~12 years but the connector hasn't changed. We're now moving to USB4 but again, the connector type remains type C.

                • Sleeqb7 on 09/06/2022 - 09:39

                  @apsilon: I'm not confusing anything, I didn't say the connector changed, I said there have been multiple standards.

                  If you read the rest of my comment it stated that theoretically there will be a hard cap on the performance of the connector and it's technical layout, which may result in a new standard having to be developed.

                  • apsilon on 09/06/2022 - 09:44

                    @Sleeqb7: You said "there have been multiple USB-C standards" so if you're not confused then you're just wrong, at least in terminology. There have been multiple USB 3 versions but they have nothing to do with the C connector.

                    Yes there will be a point where we move on to something else but it's a long way off yet. We'll have USB C for another 10 years IMO which is the typical USB version life and as I said, USB4 is now rolling out and using the same C connector.

                    • Sleeqb7 on 09/06/2022 - 09:56

                      @apsilon: I didn't say that connectors changed, I am saying that the standards changed. There are multiple current USB standards that use the USB-C connector. Eventually those USB standards will outpace the connector, as you agree.

                      There is multiple meanings of standard here, one about data/power throughput standards of USB (USB 2.0, 3.0, etc) and one about device connector standards (USB-C, Lightning, etc).

                      The phrase "multiple USB-C standards" was misworded and should have been "multiple USB standards that use USB-C" but I thought it was clear from the context.

            • [Deactivated] on 09/06/2022 - 21:16

              @deme: USB-C supports maximum theoretical power 240w. It was done but it's still experimental.

              The USB-C doesn't apply just to phones. iPhones are just a clickbait.

              European Parliament’s rapporteur Alex Agius Saliba in a press statement. “European consumers were frustrated long with multiple chargers piling up with every new device. Now they will be able to use a single charger for all their portable electronics.” The legislation also includes provisions designed to address wireless chargers in the future, as well as harmonizing fast-charging standards.

  • Trying2SaveABuck on 08/06/2022 - 21:37
    +3

    good the more homogenous tech is the better

    • sjj89 on 09/06/2022 - 00:55
      +1

      Everyone get your pitchforks out, we got us a techno-marxist over here!

    • FirstWizard on 09/06/2022 - 12:13

      Exactly!
      I've lived in a country where they've not legislated power plugs at the time. Every appliance you buy has a different plug from a different country, and every house/building had a different shaped wall plug. You pretty much needed a box of travel adaptors at home and always have a multi travel adaptor with you if you're planning to charge your phone etc. away from home.
      It was chaos!

  • vince088 on 08/06/2022 - 21:44

    you said "I feel like this is killing innovation", the lightning cable has been around since 2012 and it is still the same. no innovation there

    reason? it makes Apple a lot of money. RRP $29 for the 1M lightning cable + $RRP $29 charger.
    if you buy aftermarket they have to pay loyalty fees to be Apple MFI Certified.

    • sjj89 on 09/06/2022 - 00:57
      +1

      All the while non-certified chargers and cables blow up devices due to their poor quality control

      • vince088 on 09/06/2022 - 06:54
        +2

        Lol apple original can blow up also.

        https://discussions.apple.com/thread/8032814

      • deme on 09/06/2022 - 08:02
        +3

        No those chargers are not EU (CE Mark certified)
        Just buy a reasonable charger (not from wish) and you'll be fine

        Please ensure it's actually CE and not the fraudulent "China Export" one that looks similar.

      • Sleeqb7 on 09/06/2022 - 09:26

        Meanwhile the Apple genuine cables have no support on the cables and they break quicker than most other cables on the market. (At least, this was my experience selling the junk at Dick Smith back when it existed)

        • vince088 on 09/06/2022 - 09:41
          +1

          Apple want you to buy a new cable every year lol, it's tactics

  • Kangal on 08/06/2022 - 21:47
    +1

    Apple designed the Lightning Port, before the USB Consortium could.
    The design that Apple has is actually superior, because the connector-lip inside the port (which is usually un-repairable) sees much smaller risk of damage, wear, tear.

    However, the problem with the Lightning Port was that they designed it for 2012 Standards. They didn't add a few extra pins to it, and they didn't make it a USB 3.0 protocol when they should have. And sure, they overlooked that but it would not have been too bad if they decided to upgrade it, say back with the iPhone 7 release. It's too late now, any attempt would be them trying to appease the EU Standards.

    Another problem with the Lightning port, is that on the cable side, the cord around the port has very little brace and is extremely prone to bending, cracking, and unwhirling. There are few expensive variants which don't have this issue, but it largely affects the rest. Whilst USB-C cables generally don't have this issue, unless they're very cheap.

    …and before someone complains "it's only a cable", think about its uses. If it was designed with forward-thinking it could deliver 100W Charging, it could output 4K/120Hz video, it could do low-latency/high-bandwidth/fast connectivity, it might enable a powerful phone to connect to a "Dock" or even "Laptop Shell".

    Eg/ HP Elite x3, QSD 821, MS Windows 10 Mobile, with Continuum running full-desktop OS+Apps.
    Eg2/ Razer Phone 2, QSD 845, Android 9pie, attaching to Project Linda laptop shell.

    • scotty on 08/06/2022 - 22:23
      +3

      USB Type-C 2.1 can actually deliver 240W, which would be enough to charge gaming laptops.

    • deme on 09/06/2022 - 08:04

      The design that Apple has is actually superior

      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lightning_(connector)

      Reset of Cable: Sometimes a cable will refuse to work and users find that it needs to be reset. The cable must be unplugged at both charger and phone, wait 5 seconds and reconnected.

    • BewareOfThe Dog on 09/06/2022 - 10:36

      I recall reading that Apple were involved in the process of USB-C 10 years or so ago.

  • pegaxs on 08/06/2022 - 21:59
    +11

    Wtf? Car tyres are not the same as a charger for a phone. A better analogy would be refueling hoses. Imagine if you want to fuel up but you had to go to a dedicated Toyota fuel station while everyone else that didn’t drive a Toyota could refuel anywhere else.

    It’s like early EV’s where every manufacturer wanted their own charging port and why some vehicles come with multiple plugs because of the stupidity of manufacturers not sitting down to agree on a standard.

    The only reason Apple use Lightening is for no other reason but to lock people into the Apple ecosystem and to make cable manufacturers to buy the rights to make the cables.

    • [Deactivated] on 08/06/2022 - 22:02
      +1

      Wtf? Car tyres are not the same as a charger for a phone. A better analogy would be refueling hoses. Imagine if you want to fuel up but you had to go to a dedicated Toyota fuel station while everyone else that didn’t drive a Toyota could refuel anywhere else.

      It was an arbitrary item, nothing in particular.

      You are right, car (EV) chargers would have been more appropriate, same thing though. The fact of the matter is that the EV charges came to this design by consensus between companies and not forced by legislation.

    • deme on 09/06/2022 - 08:05

      looks at Tesla

  • plmko on 09/06/2022 - 00:05
    +1

    Lol Apple

  • payless69 on 09/06/2022 - 07:05

    Today the European Union also ratified the "Verbrenner Verbot" Prohibition of ICE vehicles.
    Another big Brother doing endless waffling with no real follow up action.

    • deme on 09/06/2022 - 08:06

      Today
      no real follow up action.

      You relalise time is linear?

      • payless69 on 09/06/2022 - 08:11
        +1

        Teeth wear off too!
        EU gave printer manufacturers strong orders to make compatible cartridges at affordable prices.
        Printer makers to EU: This is how our middle fingers look like!!

  • [Deactivated] on 09/06/2022 - 07:57
    +2

    next thing would be all the different barrel jacks for laptop and other device charging. I have 2 laptops from work, both Dell, both with 2 different sizes (admittedly different gernerations by 2 years). My Toshiba, Acer and Asus personal laptops all have different barrels and charge rates so thats 5 different places i need to plug in, I can't just have a one stop charge station.
    And what of Electric cars that are being forced onto the poplulation, Tesla better get on board with the standard.

  • AwesomeAndrew on 09/06/2022 - 08:35

    I think the legislation should allow companies to agree on a better charging port in 5 years, in case one comes out.

    • apsilon on 09/06/2022 - 08:39

      There won't be a new one in 5 years. USB4 is just rolling out now and still uses the type C connector. USB 3.1 came out in 2008 with updates to 3.1 in 2013 and 3.2 in 2017. That's about a 10 year life. We can expect similar for USB4.

      It would be wise to include a clause like that for the future but it won't make much difference in practice.

  • Archi on 09/06/2022 - 09:17

    great, until someone comes up with a better and faster standard for charging and file transfer.

  • luedriver on 09/06/2022 - 17:01

    then I hope they can make lightning to usb-c adapter because I doubt apple will still make lightning dongles or headphones when this becomes the new norm

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join