EU sets December 2024 deadline for phone makers to switch to USB-C

Earlier this year, the European Union officially passed the amended Radio Equipment Directive, which will enforce a common charging port for all smartphones and tablets. This will force Apple to finally join Android phone makers in using USB-C as the common charging port across devices. 

While this rule passed earlier this year, the EU had yet to set a firm date on when companies needed to start complying with the new rule. As of this week, the date is now set for December 2024. For most Android devices, nothing will change as the majority already use USB-C, but Apple will need to make more substantial changes to its lineup, as it still has many devices using the proprietary Lightning Port.

Apple has already confirmed that these new rules will force them to introduce a USB-C iPhone, but no exact date had been set. Apple could rip the bandaid off and switch to USB-C for this year's iPhone, but in all likelihood, the first USB-C iPhone should arrive in 2024. The deadline fits right in with Apple's usual Q3/Q4 iPhone launch window.

There is one way Apple could get around having to use USB-C – a portless iPhone that relies solely on wireless charging. This is something Apple has been exploring internally, but with many still using wired connections to charge their devices, the market might not be ready for such a change.

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KitGuru Says: The fact that the iPad Pro uses USB-C but the iPhone doesn't has always bothered me. Fortunately now, it looks like that problem will go away in 2024. 

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