EU Passes Law to Switch iPhone to USB-C by End of 2024

[BaldiMac]

Why is that silly? They get to sell their stuff for two and a bit years before a minor redesign is required... which company couldn't do that?

I'd imagine most large companies already are manufacturing products that will be released in a month. Suggesting that they be required to redesign them with a new connector for release in a month is unrealistic.

But anyway, the release is quite clear about the implementation dates that I listed.

Edit: Plus every company has known this was moment was coming for the past half decade.

So? Knowing a law change is coming is irrelevant. Until its passed, you aren't required to do anything.

 

[SDJim]

Would the EU really enforce a directive that makes all products made before the late-2024 e-waste? That seems to run counter to what they are trying to achieve. Presumably would just be for new products released on or after a certain date?

It's the government - a globalist government, at that - you are giving them WAY too much credit.

 

[Motionblurrr]

So what does that mean for us who bought a 20W USB-C Apple charger or any other higher watt charger (like a 30W GaN charger)?

Will iPhone going to USB-C mean they will have to use PPS charging tech? Or is it still fixed like it is now?

Basically what I'm asking is: if I have a USB-C 30W charger that charges my iPhone at 20W due that being the cap. Will this change to USB-C increase the amount of power draw to 30W? Or would it be PPS only and now all these fancy 20-60W chargers won't work the same way now?

This is kind of annoying lol

 

[ric22]

Why is that silly? They get to sell their stuff for two and a bit years before a minor redesign is required... which company couldn't do that?

I'd imagine most large companies already are manufacturing products that will be released in a month. Suggesting that they be required to redesign them with a new connector for release in a month is unrealistic.

But anyway, the release is quite clear about the implementation dates that I listed.


So? Knowing a law change is coming is irrelevant. Until its passed, you aren't required to do anything.

Why could a law not implement a change to be carried out more than two years for now? Why do you think two years is not enough notice? Aside from loving Apple, I mean.

 

[BaldiMac]

Why could a law not implement a change to be carried out more than two years for now? Why do you think two years is not enough notice?

I'm the one that said they have until 2025. You said "Products are only exempt if they are released before publication next month." That's not true and not realistic.

 

[1557750]

Government regulating technology standards is a terrible idea. Nobody is forcing anybody to buy Apple stuff. Yes, I'd prefer USB-C, but government mandates? no way.

Thank you for this. But some people love being controlled in every aspect of their life and not having a choice. So why not add what cable they use too?

This is the way.

👊😖👍

 

[q64ceo]

USB C is flimsier than lightening. Remember that most people are not pro photographers or YouTubers downloading hundreds of gigs regularly. The big issue is reliability. I think you have to replace the whole Samsung phone if the USB C port gets damaged with that little plasticky thing sitting in the middle of the port? Probably will be the same for iPhones.

How many USB-C ports have died on your Mac again?

THat's what I thought. 0. Do you know why? Apple doesn't nickel and dime on their stuff.

 

[whyamihere]

Good thing this short-sided regulation wasn't passed a few years ago, or we'd still be stuck on micro USB today.

We are lucky they waited until USB-C, the ultimate connector that couldn't possibly be improved on in any way. /s

 

[TeamMojo]

The biggest problem I think is that technology moves so fast that it won't be long before USB-C is outdated. And as noted, I have several devices Garmin Watch, Stryd pod, small stereo to Bluetooth transmitter and others that are too small for a traditional port. This would be better handled by a standards body like Matter, IETF, etc. Not really necessary for governmental force. Also reminds me of the overreach legislation for right to repair as proposed by entities like iFixit. I don't want Apple's design decisions being dictated by others.

 

[Motionblurrr]

Also EU:

Congrats on your new phone! Here is your new amazing mandated universal cable! Don't worry about our entire economy on the verge of collapse tho!! This is very important stuff!

 

[philpalmiero]

good. i'm not buying another iphone until it has USB C. if apple do something stupid like put in a dongle or go full wireless then i guess i won't buy an iphone again

Tim's heart is breaking.

 

[newyorksole]

iPhone Ultra 2023 = USB-C

iPhone Lineup 2024 = USB-C

 

[BoMo]

Good thing this short-sided regulation wasn't passed a few years ago, or we'd still be stuck on micro USB today.

We are lucky they waited until USB-C, the ultimate connector that couldn't possibly be improved on in any way. /s

This is exactly the problem with this type of legislation.

Yes, someone will reply saying the law can be updated, but how many resources will a company put into new tech that would require new legislation from the EU before it can be implemented....?

 

[BoMo]

Okay, in my house, I have lightning cables...
... on each bedside table in the master for me and my wife's phones
... on each of my kids' bedside tables
... in the guest bedroom
... in the TV room for airplaying
... in the kitchen (two actually for charging during the day)
... in each of our three cars
... and one I keep in a travel kit

I am not really looking forward to having to buy 13 new cables to charge my next upgrade after this helpful regulation takes affect. And the environmentalist in me will wonder how throwing away those 13 cables is a good thing...

 

[dazz87]

Good….About time.

 

[ct2k7]

Okay, in my house, I have lightning cables...
... on each bedside table in the master for me and my wife's phones
... on each of my kids' bedside tables
... in the guest bedroom
... in the TV room for airplaying
... in the kitchen (two actually for charging during the day)
... in each of our three cars
... and one I keep in a travel kit

I am not really looking forward to having to buy 13 new cables to charge my next upgrade after this helpful regulation takes affect. And the environmentalist in me will wonder how throwing away those 13 cables is a good thing...

When Apple changed from the 30 pin to the lightning connector, was it a problem?

Is it a problem that people need to buy a different case every year for an iPhone?

 

[ilikewhey]

Terrible news. This will stifle innovation and competition. For example, it will limit the desire to create connectors that are more efficient, faster, cheaper, easier to use than USB-C.

It will also increase costs for everyone because USB-C is significantly more expensive to implement than micro-USB or USB-A for cheap devices.

In addition, now we have to throw away countless e-waste from lightning cables, lightning chargers, and lightning accessories.

Once again, EU government is stepping into things that they shouldn't have. Thanks to them, I've had to click on cookie prompts at least 10,000 times already and I honestly could careless if websites used cookies.

I'm not against Apple using USB-C on all your devices. They're slowly getting there regardless. I'm against this kind of regulation because it will have unintended consequences.

we're gonna have to throw away countless e waste from lighting cables and chargers at one point, might as well bite the dust for short term pain now.

 

[BaldiMac]

When Apple changed from the 30 pin to the lightning connector, was it a problem?

Is it a problem that people need to buy a different case every year for an iPhone?

Sure. It was a problem to have to replace my accessories that used the original connector. But it had significant advantages. Switching to USB-C has no significant advantages for my use cases. And I have many more lightning accessories at this point.

 

[SactoGuy18]

Look, the Apple switch on the iPhone from Lightning to USB Type C is actually quite easy to do. All they do is change one i/O chip and implement the same USB Type C port used on the iPad Air and iPad Mini. This means (potentially) up to 40 watts initial charging rate and 10 gigabit per second data transfer speeds. After all, it's not necessary to implement DisplayPort and really high-speed Thunderbolt/USB 4 functionality like Apple has to do with their Mac models.

 

[BaldiMac]

Look, the Apple switch on the iPhone from Lightning to USB Type C is actually quite easy to do. All they do is change one i/O chip and implement the same USB Type C port used on the iPad Air and iPad Mini. This means (potentially) up to 40 watts initial charging rate and 10 gigabit per second data transfer speeds. After all, it's not necessary to implement DisplayPort and really high-speed Thunderbolt/USB 4 functionality like Apple has to do with their Mac models.

Great... faster charging speeds that I'll never use (prefer wireless) and faster wired data transfer that I haven't used in a decade.

 

[ct2k7]

Sure. It was a problem to have to replace my accessories that used the original connector. But it had significant advantages. Switching to USB-C has no significant advantages for my use cases. And I have many more lightning accessories at this point.

And USB-C has its advantages. The world doesn’t revolve around you or my needs, but in shared interests. Most consumer portables today support this common format.

When it happens, it’ll suck to be you.

 

[BoMo]

When Apple changed from the 30 pin to the lightning connector, was it a problem?

Is it a problem that people need to buy a different case every year for an iPhone?

Yes, but back then, I only had one phone. Now I am a family man with five phones.

As for the case, again, yes, which is why I haven't bought one since I sold my iPhone 5s.

 

[BaldiMac]

And USB-C has its advantages. The world doesn’t revolve around you or my needs, but in shared interests. Most consumer portables today support this common format.

When it happens, it’ll suck to be you.

Rather rude to ask for a personal opinion and then respond condescendingly when I reply with a personal opinion.

I've been quite clear in the thread that my objections are not just personal. I think the EU should have limited their legislation to USB ports. All new USB compatible devices should use USB-C ports. This would accomplish their goal of limiting waste without stifling innovation. The industry can move forward with innovative solutions, while the USB consortium and the EU can take their time to approve and implement new features.

 

[ric22]

How many USB-C ports have died on your Mac again?

THat's what I thought. 0. Do you know why? Apple doesn't nickel and dime on their stuff.

Most of the USB-A ports on Apple devices I've owned have, however, died...

And most lightning ports!

 

[Stromos]

Nah, Apple has adopted the standard USB-PD fast charging even with lightning. This is the part where I have to give them credit, for actually adopting a standard right away, unlike the various Android OEMs who are making their own fast charging proprietary methods.

Yes but you have to buy lightning and no matter who you buy from they get a cut. Type-C will mean a huge loss so they will adjust accordingly.