EU Lawmakers Vote Overwhelmingly in Favor of Common Charging Standard, Despite Apple's Protestations [Updated]

[justperry]

I have no problem with Europe making such choices. I just wish we could stop hearing people in Europe complain when products cost more there than they do elsewhere. Recognize that your choices result in additional cost, and accept it.

Agreed, there's a reason why electronics have a higher price, the most obvious is ~20% VAT, next consumer protection...there are more.

Do we really need a new charger with each and every new phone? Seriously? Correct me if I’m wrong, but there have been only two styles in the entire of existence of the iPhone.

Erm, can't really tell if you agree with me or not, chargers last longer than a couple of years, Apple chargers are long lasting, why do I need another one if my old one still works for years to come.

 

[one more]

Trying to standardise anything across the entire Europe is a tricky business, we can just look at the regular electric sockets across the continent - two-pinned, three-pinned, etc. I personally find Apple’s lightning connector sturdier and simpler, compared to USB-C, however nobody else apart from Apple is using this standard, so it is unlikely to stick. I think Apple will drag Lightning for another year or two and then eliminate the charging port altogether, offering something wireless out of the box.

 

[thebeachbum]

What a bad idea. So we'll never get a charging solution better than USB-C now. Politicians shouldn't get involved in technology, especially when they don't understand it.

Totally agree. Also, I did not realize the EU was part of California.

 

[V_Man]

Come on guys. Apple is fighting this because the stand to lose billions in mifi certification money.

 

[dhoughal]

The solution would be so easy. Provide USB-C port on all smartphones and sell them without charger. Instead, sell chargers as accessory.

 

[gavroche]

Agreed, there's a reason why electronics have a higher price, the most obvious is ~20% VAT, next consumer protection...there are more.




Erm, can't really tell if you agree with me or not, chargers last longer than a couple of years, Apple chargers are long lasting, why do I need another one if my old one still works for years to come.

I was saying you were being a bit exaggerative to say we need a new charger every year. In the entire history of the iPhone they have only had two types. They had the original 30-pin from 2007-2012. And from 2012 to today they use the Lightning connector. So if you have been using the iPhone for its roughly 14 years of models, you have only had to switch the charger one time.

 

[Digital Skunk]

The world is on fire and shaking and quaking, but at least we have standard charge cables.

 

[justperry]

Somebody tell the EU to fix their sockets in all member countries then start giving lessons

OT.. Almost all Europe has the same outlet/plug, USA is 1 country so easier to have 1 standard, Europe has 10's of countries, they did well.
Also, the C/F plug is by far the better outlet/plug, compact and sturdy, UK might be safer with a fuse inside but it's bulky and fuse is not really needed.
The USA plugs are crap./OT

Standardising a charger plug is good, less waste.
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I was saying you were being a bit exaggerative to say we need a new charger every year. In the entire history of the iPhone they have only had two types. They had the original 30-pin from 2007-2012. And from 2012 to today they use the Lightning connector. So if you have been using the iPhone for its roughly 14 years of models, you have only had to switch the charger one time.

IPhones come with a charger, not needed, that's what I want to see, just buy them separately.

 

[DanielDD]

What a bad idea. So we'll never get a charging solution better than USB-C now. Politicians shouldn't get involved in technology, especially when they don't understand it.

the policy does not prevent future innovations. Besides, Apple is free to ship lightning or whatever other form of charging solution, as long as it includes USB-C. Devices can have multiple ports, who woulda thought!!!
So that is really a moot point.

 

[H3LL5P4WN]

What can lightning do that USB-C can’t?

It's smaller and more durable. It also can be a connection with guaranteed data transfer and charging speeds.

Unlike the USB-C connector, which might be wired for:

USB Power Delivery
Quick Charge 1.0
Quick Charge 2.0
Quick Charge 3.0
Quick Charge 4.0 (which in and of itself, might just be USB Power Delivery)
Rapid Charge
Adaptive Fast Charging
Turbo Power
Dash Charge
Warp Charge
Vooc fast charging
...and those are just the ones I can name off the top of my head.

So thanks android OEMS, I'll stick with USB-PD via an Apple Lightning to USB-C cable. Europe is stupid.

 

[deeddawg]

on one side this is convenient and better, but the other side of the coin is that you will not be able to invent a new charging solution and will have to lobby politicians to do it.

Bingo. As usual, it's about lining political pockets.

 

[justperry]

Snip..
This legislation will likely backfire. One of it's stated goals is to reduce waste, but the easiest answer for Apple will be to just include a USB-C to Lightning dongle. Most people won't use or need it, so it'll just be extra waste.

Nope, not allowed, they already did that last time around, if the iPhone has a charging port it needs to be USB C.

 

[H3LL5P4WN]

Another issue with going Qi charging only. If the battery is completely drained, it can no longer charge with Qi.

I legitimately did not know that. Thanks for the heads up. 👍

 

[Krizoitz]

Imagine being able to charge your phone with the same charger as your MacBook and iPad.
USB-C iPhone, yes please.

MacBook Pro 16 charger = 96W
MacBook Pro 13 charger = 61W
MacBook Air charger = 30W
iPad Pro/iPhone 11 pro charger = 18W
iPad = 12W
iPhone = 5W

So, gonna lug around this sucker to charge your iPhone? Cause that’s what’s required for your MacBook Pro.
There’s little advantage to a single connector when the things you plug in are dramatically different in size (and power output).

 

[Puppuccino]

As someone who is pro-EU it pains me when policies like this are brought forward.

When it comes to tech, the EU is swinging it’s weight around breaking everything. Cookie law did nothing but add huge banners to websites, GDPR has done nothing but make those banners bigger and harder to close whilst companies are still sucking data from people and now this.

Making iPhones use USB-C creates more waste because people will need to buy adaptors that come in plastic boxes and even throw away old cables they no longer can use anymore.

I wish they’d stop this meaningless rubbish, it’s not doing anything productive to consumers. Why can’t we look at reducing CO2, stronger tax laws etc...? Probably because that’d make too much sense.

 

[deeddawg]

What we don't want is 50 different mobile connectors and charging bricks
1. Lightning
2. USB-C
3. Micro USB
4. Magnetic Induction

5. USB Mini-B

Yes, there is still at least one product sold new today with a mini-B charging port.

Smoke Gateway from Thermoworks - not a phone, but the wifi gateway for a remote-read thermometer usually used in smoking foods / bbq.

 

[Konigi]

iPhone 12 with USB-C, anyone?

That's the final step missing for me to update my iPhone 6s.

 

[User 6502]

I’d rather have no connector at all.

 

[gk4]

The world is on fire and shaking and quaking, but at least we have standard charge cables.

They are trying to use the waste reduction angle here as part of their argument for this. So even accepting the ridiculous idea that you can only do one thing at a time – they are already arguing environmental reasons for this.

 

[kaz911]

My only explanation why the British government is pulling 40% of its population out of the EU against their will

? That is called democracy. It is not a great system but it is so far the best we have.

Apart from that as said - the UK adapters are safe - with built in fuses that can save you and your connected gear. Maybe it is over-protection but I'm perfectly happy with them.

I hate the new EU standard where there are no switches allowed on outlets. That is in my opinion completely BONKERS. Yes it might be safer - but it also might not.

 

[Mythos99]

When Apple cut all ports on MBP and just put USB-C it was the future and so awesome, but now with this EU sucks, and oh dear lord, how could they?

I personally like this, next should be to sell phones without cables, or/and sell them separately.

 

[justperry]

.....C cable. Europe is stupid.

Lets see.

Without ASML there won't be smaller/faster CPU chips.
Would there be a better CPU in mobile electronics without ARM...
Philips invented a lot, for instance CD's
NXP, no NFC.
NO Europe, no world as it is now, most Americans ancestors were Europeans.
...
...
List goes on


Just kidding

 

[BvizioN]

Ah, the EU bureaucrats again!!
It would be funny if Apple did the Apple thing, and removed the port from the future iPhones altogether

 

[kaz911]

And I do not know why the climate alarmist are not all up in arms over Wireless charging.

It is such a waste of good electricity.

Why throw 5-60% (correct to real world figures) of your Ah out via heat through inductive charging?

What (Watt) a Waste!

 

[JosephAW]

I could be wrong but isn't the lightning cable more secure than a usb c cable from usb hacks out there in the wild?

This will probably force Apple to drop the cable altogether and go to wireless connectivity solution and you will have to buy the wireless adaptor separately for your country at the time of you iPhone purchase. Yea, another after purchase cost.