Everyone is having a party now as the EU just passed its single charger law that puts Apple is obsolescence for having a slow proprietary Lightning cable, will Apple budge?
Sad day for Apple fanboys indeed, how they will defend this, eh?
Looks like Apple isn’t going to be a trendsetter anytime soon in the EU, as 602 lawmakers approved of using a single charger for all mobile devices (in which in this case, the efficient Type-C port) starting in the late months of 2024. Only 13 voted against it. Unlucky (get it, ’cause 13…).
All smartphones, tablets, cameras that will launch in the EU will have to be USB-C compatible or they can’t sell their stuff there. Old chargers with microUSB or any other shape will not be banned and can be used still.
Laptops will also transition from using the Type-C port by early 2026, and joining in the party are E-ink devices, wireless earphones, and all other tech related to it.
By far the biggest L so far has dawned to Apple, finally. Trendsetting into questionable decisions such as the removal of the headphone jack, the SD card slot, tediously difficult to repair iPhones, and now the phasing out of the SIM card in the US for eSIM’s delivered mixed reactions.
But now, they must ride the wave or get eaten by it in the end as they should change their sluggish Lightning port to a more universally accepted USB-C one.
Apple even claimed that shifting to a USB Type-C charging port “will stifle innovation” (lmao). EU just dunked on this with grace and said that the bill does allow for continued development.
The single charger rule will greatly reduce e-waste, and possibly improve the lives of anyone living within the EU.
Today is a great day for consumers, a great day for our environment. After more than a decade; the single charger for multiple electronic devices will finally become a reality for Europe and hopefully, we can also inspire the rest of the world.
Alex Agius Saliba, Maltese MEP, EU Parliament header
The Lightning port and microUSB options are notoriously slow in transferring data and charging altogether, so this is a win-win. For now, Apple is silent about this decision and may provide statement in the coming days, we hope so. Let’s all file this milestone under one of the most ethical decisions mankind has ever done in the past ten years since smartphones really kicked off the market.
The Cupertino Company Lovers Clout Chasers, Inc. (long form term for Apple fanboys) may start cooking up their possible replies against this innovative law.
