Most of us own multiple types of chargers to refill our devices. This is because many products, such as Apple phones and Microsoft Surface computers, are connected by wires that use unique connectors.
Soon, that may no longer be the case.
This month, the European Union announced an obligation to require all new portable devices such as smartphones, earphones and wireless keyboards to use a common charger by 2024. Two years later, the same rules apply to new laptops.
Although the law is enforced throughout Europe, it can affect consumers around the world. This is because it is likely to be costly for tech companies to manufacture products using different charging technologies only for European countries.
The law, which regulators say to reduce e-waste, seems to target Apple, where iPhones, iPads and Macs use a range of charging technologies.Apple declined to comment to the European Commission in November Opposite to mandate, Claims that it will hinder the introduction of new charging technology. Commission spokesman Terence Zacca said the law could be updated quickly to keep up with new technologies.
Simply put, most devices you buy over the next few years, regardless of where you live, will probably include a charging port called USB-C. This transition may be frustrating for many, and perhaps most seriously, for iPhone customers who have collected wires and accessories using Apple’s own Lightning connector since its launch 10 years ago. These products become impractical to use once mandate comes into effect and people start buying new products without a Lightning connection.
Therefore, it helps to prepare for this migration to avoid waste. This is what you can do.
Future of charging settings
First, let’s talk about USB-C. This is an oval connector that works with many modern Android phones and laptops. This isn’t the same as Apple’s flat rectangular Lightning connector or the bulky USB rectangular connector, an old technology called USB-A.
European law requires that all devices use USB-C by 2026. Therefore, you should plan to incorporate that connector into the product you use to charge your device, such as power bricks and wires.
If you buy a power adapter that connects to your computer or phone over a wire, be sure to get a power adapter with an oval USB-C port. This allows you to accept a USB-C power cable and connect it to future phones and computers.
Many Android phones and computers already use a USB-C power cable, so continue to buy if needed. However, suppose you’re using an Apple phone that uses a Lightning connector. If a wired Lightning charger for your iPhone breaks, it makes sense to buy a replacement cable because their wiring is relatively cheap. A high quality third party lightning cable costs only $ 15. The safest way is to buy a Lightning cable with a USB-C connector on the other end to ensure it connects to your next laptop or power brick.
Another option is to go wireless, said John Bumstead, owner of RDKL Incorporated, which sells replayed Apple hardware. Most modern smartphones, including the iPhone and Samsung Galaxy phones, work with a new wireless charging technology called magnetic induction. Magnetic induction uses an electric current to generate a magnetic field, creating a voltage that powers the device without connecting wires.
Wireless chargers come in a variety of shapes and shapes, including mats and docks. It’s a great time to consider a wireless charger because you don’t have to connect to a cell phone port.
Avoid expensive Lightning accessories
The tricky challenge is about buying accessories such as keyboards and mice, Bumstead said. Some new products, such as Apple’s $ 200 Magic Keyboard and $ 150 Magic Trackpad, include a Lightning port.
Bumstead said it would be wise to wait a few years for future versions of these products. This is because once the USB-C obligation comes into effect, it can be a hassle to carry around a USB-C cable for mobile phones and computers, and a Lightning cable for a keyboard or mouse. It is more convenient to carry one cable to charge everything. That is the point of European law.
Still, if all use the same type of connector within a few years, that doesn’t mean that you need to discard the device that uses your own connection. One option to make them easier to use is to buy an adapter like a dongle that allows the Lightning connector to accept USB-C connections, Bumstead said. That way, if you have only one device that uses the Lightning connector, you can use the dongle to keep that device connected with a USB-C cable.
However, dongles are a non-elegant solution because they are small and easy to lose. Therefore, it is better not to buy accessories with their own connections. Instead, choose one that comes with a USB-C port.
Conclusion
With some foresight, this transition isn’t too bad. USB-C is a solid technology that allows you to quickly refill your device. Also, because so many products already use USB-C connectors, most of us already own a lot of these cables and work with companies like Apple, HP, Microsoft and others to USB. Said Jeff Ravencraft, president of the USB Implementations Forum, the standard organization that develops. technology.
“This train has already left the station,” Ravencraft said. He added that USB-C is designed to extend its lifespan. In short, USB-C should be a useful technology even in 2026, when the law is fully enforced.
