iPhone will finally get rid of Lightning: the EU passed the law on the transition to USB Type-C by the end of 2024

As expected, the European Parliament overwhelmingly voted today to adopt USB Type-C as a common charging port for a wide range of consumer electronic devices, including iPhones and AirPods, by the end of 2024.

The press release of the European Parliament regarding the law on the transition to USB Type-C states:

“By the end of 2024, all mobile phones, tablets and cameras sold in the EU will have to be equipped with a USB Type-C charging port. From spring 2026, the obligation will extend to laptops. The new law, adopted by plenary on Tuesday with 602 votes in favour, 13 against and 8 abstentions, is part of a broader EU effort to reduce e-waste and to empower consumers to make more sustainable choices.

Under the new rules, consumers will no longer need a different charger every time they purchase a new device, as they will be able to use one single charger for a whole range of small and medium-sized portable electronic devices.

Regardless of their manufacturer, all new mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones and headsets, handheld videogame consoles and portable speakers, e-readers, keyboards, mice, portable navigation systems, earbuds and laptops that are rechargeable via a wired cable, operating with a power delivery of up to 100 Watts, will have to be equipped with a USB Type-C port.

All devices that support fast charging will now have the same charging speed, allowing users to charge their devices at the same speed with any compatible charger.”

The Directive must now be approved by the European Council before it can be published in the Official Journal of the EU. The law will enter into force 20 days after publication. Products that went on sale before the date of application will be exempt from the new legislation.

We remind that Apple remains the only major manufacturer of smartphones, tablets, and headphones that uses its own Lightning charging port, so the new EU legislation on USB Type-C is primarily aimed at the company’s models. It was previously reported that Apple seems to have come to terms with this decision, and is already testing USB-C port for new iPhone models. According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, iPhone with USB Type-C is coming as soon as 2023, the same says insider Mark Gurman.