The EU is responding to Apple. It doesn’t stop innovation, and it likes to replace USB-C with a better standard

Last month, the European Union finally succeeded in pushing forward a proposal requiring all smartphone manufacturers to use a single charging port, in this case USB-C. Since the vast majority of Android devices already use USB-C ports, only Apple would have a problem with its Lightning connector. However, Anna Cavazzini, chairwoman of the parliamentary committee on consumer protection, said that USB-C may not be the uniform standard at all, informs Europa.eu.

The proposal does not hinder innovation and the EU Council will favor a better standard

According to the European Union, the implementation of the proposal will help not only users but also the environment. If all devices can be charged with the same cable, manufacturers will no longer have to add it to the package. This is estimated to save about a thousand tons of electrical waste per year.

But Apple has resisted the proposal by force and says it stands in the way of innovation. However, the Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Consumer Protection does not see the proposal as such for a simple reason:

“The proposal states that if a new standard emerges that is better than USB-C, we can adapt the rules.” said Cavazzini.

It is currently unclear what criteria the new standard would have to meet in order for the Union to recognize it as better. However, it does not consider the Lightning port to be better than USB-C. However, Apple has one more option than to give up the Lightning port.

The obligation to use the USB-C connector does not apply to devices without cable charging. Does this mean the end of iPhones with a charging port?

A Commission spokesman for The Verge said the proposal did not apply to non-wired devices. Speculation about an iPhone without ports could therefore come true in the coming years. At a press conference, EU Commissioner Thierry Breton also added to Apple’s complaint about killing innovation that “there is still much room for innovation in the field of wireless charging”.

What’s wrong, since wireless charging is now slower and less efficient than wired charging. If Apple chooses this path, it will have to do something to improve wireless charging technology so that it will be more attractive to more demanding users. However, he does not have much time left, the proposal can enter into force in two years.