The European Union (EU) has set the date by which most electronic devices must adopt the USB-C charging port, including Apple’s iPhone, which is set for December 28, 2024.
The obligation to include a USB Type-C port affects smartphones sold in EU member states, regardless of the manufacturer, so Apple has to do without the Lightning port, at least in this market.
It is a fact that Apple has already assumed, and confirmed that it will comply with the new European directive, thus dispensing with its own Lightning port on the iPhone, although they have made it clear at all times that they are not satisfied with this decision.
And it must meet the new requirements before December 28, 2024, the date on which the obligation to continue to market the iPhone in the European Union comes into force, as set out in Directive 2022/2380 of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union. This Wednesday it was published in the Official Journal of the European Union.
Specifically, it was established that member states must adopt and publish said directive “by December 28, 2023” and that it will be applied one year later, from December 28, 2024.
This history affects, in addition to “smartphones”, other classes of electronic devices, such as tablets, digital cameras, headphones, portable game consoles, speakers, e-readers (“e-readers”) and accessories such as keyboards, mice and headphones. and portable navigation devices.
Notebooks, in turn, have a longer period to adapt to the new rules, which run until April 28, 2026. Likewise, the regulation exempts notebooks from the obligation to adopt a USB Type-C port. due to its size and conditions of use.