Apple announced that phones will feature USB-C charging ports following the new EU law.
Devices like rechargeable cameras, headphones, portable speakers and handheld video game consoles will also fall under the purview of the new law, which has now received final approval by the European Parliament.
Apple executive Greg Joswiak said the company has “Obviously we’ll have to comply, we have no choice,” reported WSJ.
Bloomberg reported in May that Apple is working on an iPhone with a USB-C charging port, which could be launched as early as next year.
The effect is harsh on Apple as the current lighting cables will have no use once the new ports are installed on new devices.
The change had been discussed for years and was prompted by complaints from iPhone and Android users about having to switch to different chargers for their devices. The European Commission has estimated that a single charger would save about 250 million euros ($247.3 million) for consumers.
A 2019 Commission study showed half of the chargers sold with mobile phones in 2018 had a USB micro-B connector, while 29 percent had a USB-C connector and 21 percent used Apple’s lightning connector.
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