iPhone USB-C: Europe finalizes the single port project for smartphones

This Thursday, the European Commission will unveil a proposal to impose the USB-C port on the iPhone and all other smartphones. It is mainly Apple that is concerned here, most Android smartphones already using USB-C. For its part, Apple remains on the Lightning, namely a proprietary port.

On the way to iPhone with a USB-C port

According to The echoes, the European Commission wants smartphones like the iPhone to have at least one USB-C port. The European executive is not in itself against the idea that a device has a proprietary port like the Lightning … provided that there is also a USB-C port. This even goes beyond smartphones, the draft directive also covering tablets, headphones, cameras and even speakers.

The European Commission has wanted to have a single port for a while now. She cites the environment as an argument so that all users can have a single loader. But we will have to be patient because the draft directive, although presented on Thursday, will then have to be examined by the European Parliament and the Council (which brings together the States). If all goes well, the project will be adopted at the beginning of 2022… but the application will wait until 2024. This delay will allow manufacturers like Apple to adapt.

For its part, Apple has already criticized this project, believing that it will harm consumers and impact competition. This statement may come as a surprise when we know that the manufacturer is gradually abandoning Lightning in favor of USB-C on Macs and iPads. The latest example is the iPad mini 6, announced last week.

Ironically, Apple could escape this project to force USB-C on the iPhone and other devices. Indeed, rumors state that Apple is planning phones without any port. It would only be wireless charging. Such a system looks ambitious for the iPhone 14s in 2022, but it could be a reality in 2023 or 2024.