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| The European Union wants a universal mobile phone charger |
The European Union plans to force device manufacturers to use universal chargers and sell mobile phones without chargers in the box.
The European Commission will introduce a legislative proposal that all mobile phones, tablets and headphones sold in the EU should have a common charging port.
Previously, the European Parliament had voted in favor of the right to repair, which benefits consumers, and the European Union is considering requiring device manufacturers to allow users to uninstall pre-installed apps from their devices.
For more than a decade, EU lawmakers have been promoting chargers for charging consumer electronics.
According to Reuters, the European Union supports the use of a single charger for all popular devices in order to reduce environmental impact and make it easier for consumers to carry a single charger for all devices instead of using different outlets.
Although there is no explicit indication of the planned public port. However, it could be the USB-C port as this is the most used charging port on all the devices, especially the Android side.
The proposal also recommends not adding a charger to the box, some brands have already implemented this procedure on the grounds that it is good for the environment (and also serves their own economic interests).
Most Android devices use USB-C ports for charging, and accessory manufacturers are switching to USB-C ports for headphones, batteries, etc.
Many modern laptops also charge via USB-C. And since most Android devices share a common port, the proposal affects one brand more than another, Apple.
The European Union wants to cancel the free charger
iPhone, iPad, and AirPods use Apple's own Lightning connector for charging. The company's high-end devices like the iPad Pro and MacBook use USB-C ports. So there is no logic for the iPhone to continue using the Lightning port.
Since Lightning is an Apple-owned port, it has generated significant revenue for the company through its MFI Accessories Certification Program.
Apple said that requiring drivers to abide by certain rules could hinder innovation, generate a lot of e-waste, and create inconvenience for consumers.
According to a 2019 study, nearly 50% of cell phones sold in 2018 included micro-USB ports. 29% of devices use USB-C and 21% of devices use Lightning.
However, in recent years, most devices, with the exception of a few low-end devices, have phased out micro-USB. As a result, the percentage of mobile phones with USB-C connections has increased.