We finally know when the European Union will make the USB-C port mandatory on all electronic devices that will be marketed in the area.
Almost everyone is affected by this obligation. Smartphones of course, but also tablets, headphones, portable speakers… All these products will all have to comply with this new regulation. And only computers will be entitled to additional time.
December 28, 2024, the date on which everything will change
The European Commission has just announced that Directive 2022/2380 has been published in the Official Journal. The latter provides that Member States have until 28 December 2023 to put in place the specific measures set out in the directive. One year later, on December 28, 2024, the new rule will become binding.
And you will have understood, this rule is the imposition of the USB-C port on almost all electronic devices, including smartphones. And although it is a global rule, we know who it will affect especially in this area: Apple. The Cupertino company is indeed the last major manufacturer to still have a proprietary port, while Android manufacturers (like Samsung) have already switched to USB-C.
We can however assume that the Californian giant, on which pressure has been put in Europe on the subject for some time now, should not wait until 2025 to integrate this new rule and launch iPhones integrating a USB-C port well before.
For computers, it will be April 2026
There are a few exceptions to note in this upcoming new standard. As the directive concerns products with wired charging, devices that simply have wireless charging will not be affected by this obligation.
Devices too small to accommodate the port such as connected watches or health trackers are also excluded. An Apple Watch would therefore not be affected by the question.
And among those who must adopt this universal port, the computers on their side obtained an additional delay. They will thus be able to continue to have a proprietary port throughout 2025, and will only be forced to switch to USB-C from April 28, 2026.
Source : Engadget
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