All New Phones Will Have Same USB Type-C Port, Saving Us A Lot Of Money And Headache
Members of the European Union are looking to draft legislation that would force mobile makers to use a universal charging port across to not just make user¡¯s life more convenient, but also reduce electronic waste accumulation.
We've all been there -- we forget our phone charger at home, and the whole day's spent trying to find a charger to juice up our phone, whether at work or outdoors. Wouldn't it be easier if all phones just had the same charging port and cable specifications?
This is exactly what authorities in Europe are striving to make happen, hopefully within this year itself.
Members of the European Union are looking to draft legislation that would force mobile makers to use a universal charging port across to not just make user¡¯s life more convenient, but also reduce electronic waste accumulation. If Europe enforces this law, it will force phone makers to toe the line, and just have the same common charging port available on phones sold outside Europe as well -- it's just convenient and less costly.
In 2014, Radio Equipment directive called for a common charger to be developed that would go with all the devices -- smartphones, tablets, e-book readers and other portable devices. And adhering to this, Android has gone ahead and adopted the universal USB-C that we¡¯re seeing in all new phones these days. One brand that hasn¡¯t complied with this norm over the years is none other than Cupertino giant Apple.
Apple has been stuck with its ¡®Lightning Connector¡¯ on its iPhones, even after switching its iPad Pros to USB Type C. However, if EU¡¯s legislation goes through, Apple will be forced to get USB-C on its upcoming phones. EU had pled to Apple to make the switch to a universal connector and as expected, Apple wasn¡¯t really happy about it.
Apple responded last year, stating that even if the regulation came into place, piles of e-waste would still accumulate as people will have to buy new universal chargers while ditching their old ones.
Apple has over a billion iPhones across the globe, and if every iPhone user were to make the switch to USB Type-C, it could do more harm than good. Apple also stated that it would also freeze innovation instead of condoning it.
While both the sides have made valid arguments, what I feel is that the switch would benefit users in the long run, making every phone user's life convenient.
