‘Smartwatches will also receive a universal charging standard’
From December 24, 2024, the USB-C port is mandatory on phones. As a result, universal charger can be introduced, and the amount of electronic waste can be drastically reduced. It seems that smartwatches will also get a universal charger. At least in India. Will the European Union follow soon?
Universal chargers
In October, the European Parliament passed a law that requires manufacturers to offer the USB-C port as the only charging option from 2024. These new rules therefore ensure that consumers in the EU can charge their smartphones, tablets, cameras, headphones and laptops with a single charger, among other things. The Lightning connection and micro USB ports may no longer be used from then on. Convenience for the consumer and the enormous amount of e-waste are the two main arguments for introducing a universal charging standard.
Not only the devices mentioned above need to be charged, smartwatches and other wearables also need the necessary power. And with these wearables, there are still many different charging options on the market. Many brands have their own technology, with some manufacturers using wireless techniques, for example, while others use pogo pins. However, according to the Indian government, this must now change.
Smartwatches also get USB-C
A government agency in India has been working for several months to ensure that wearables also receive a universal charger, PTI reports. Almost all charging options used in wearables already use magnets. A single charger could therefore easily be made for this, according to the BIS. No proposed charging option has been mentioned yet. If the plan will eventually go through, it will mean that manufacturers will have to abandon their own technology and offer the one that will be seen as standard by India.
The following will soon apply in Europe: small and medium-sized portable electronic devices must be equipped with a USB-C port. This includes: smartphones, tablets, e-readers, cameras, earplugs, headphones and headsets, portable speakers and game consoles, mice and keyboards and navigation systems.
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Wearables are therefore not specifically mentioned here. However, the ‘usb-c rule’ only applies to devices that you can charge wired. Electronic devices that can only be charged wirelessly are not covered by the new regulations. Whether wearables that can also be charged wired will soon end up in the list is not yet officially known. However, there is a chance that the decision from India will be followed.
What do you think of the new European rules on the obligation of the USB-C port for devices? Should smartwatches also get USB-C? Let us know in the comments below this article.
Bottom of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5
