USB-C charging is now mandatory in EU, here's what you need to know

30 December 2024
All mobile devices must have USB PD support; new labels are also incoming.

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rizki1, 30 Dec 2024ok time for Chinese brands to remove charger in the box..They already started. some oneplus and xiaomi phones ship without one in the EU

    Anonymous, 30 Dec 2024I worry about the durability of usb c ports. I have had one... moreget magnetic adapter - you don't strain the port on constant plugging and it protects the port form dust - win-win-win

      Anonymous, 30 Dec 2024So when will removable battery coming back for smartphones?if memory serves me right, according to directive, it should be 2026

        pl2rts, 30 Dec 2024I dont get why the charging brick needs to have type-c port... morewattage darling...

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          • Nameless
          • 0xQ
          • 30 Dec 2024

          Another pseudo work from EU. Chargers are not what creates e-waste. I have all my chargers at home since my Nokia N8 and even older phones. Low quality and reliability cars, washing machines, TVs, fridges ant etc. Everything now is made to last only through the warranty perriod.

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            • Anonymous
            • tui
            • 30 Dec 2024

            DarlingYext, 30 Dec 2024"The European Commission is allowing the sales of new ... moreEnjoy using micro-usb in 2025 I guess

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              • Luke
              • xIj
              • 30 Dec 2024

              pl2rts, 30 Dec 2024I dont get why the charging brick needs to have type-c port... moreBecause EU and governments in general don't care about ecology, despite taking lots of money from people for that purpose. It's just stupid over government at this point

                ThankGodItsFriday, 30 Dec 2024I do like the idea of being able to use one cable to do wha... moreNot to be a dick about it but did you actually read the article? It clearly states that current devices without usbc can still be sold but no new ones can be introduced to the market. Also if USBC becomes obsolete at some point it will be changed just like microusb was replaced. Not to say everything the EU does is good but in this case I actually agree it was a good change.

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                  • AnonD-1185368
                  • xjH
                  • 30 Dec 2024

                  Some of what has been said is true. I have over 3 adapters just for one phone. Lol.

                    "The European Commission is allowing the sales of new electronic devices without a new charger. The goal is to prevent excessive waste, which results from buyers owning too many duplicate chargers that go unused and often end up in the general trash, as they are rarely recycled."

                    They are viewing this e-waste picture from the completely wrong side. Rarely do people actually have a charging brick with a type-c input, but now that phones don't come with one, but still come with a type-c to type-c cable, customers either have to buy an INDIVIDUALLY PACKAGED charging brick and create more waste with said extra packaging, or THROW OUT/NEVER USE the included cable, which is also wasteful.

                    I'd say either all devices MUST include both a charging brick and a cable, or they SHOULDN'T include either.

                    The other issue is people not knowing, or ignoring, how a device should be charged, and which charging bricks and cables are actually compatible with their device, thus damaging their batteries way too early, and are creating more trash with said devices/batteries.

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                      • AnonD-1185368
                      • xjH
                      • 30 Dec 2024

                      Jujujij, 30 Dec 2024Great! More incentive for companies to NOT include a charge... moreDon't use swear words on GSMArena, lil bro.

                        I do like the idea of being able to use one cable to do what is necessary to do... but that's about all I can agree with the EU on.

                        I think enforcing ALL devices to use USB-C for power is wrong. As far as I can tell, this actually makes MORE e-waste, not minimizes it. This means that every current device that doesn't use USB-C will be discarded by 2026 in order to be compliant with the EU, and that only means more devices not currently being supported, thus either not being sold and cluttering up warehouses, or ending up early in thrift stores and landfills.

                        It's not very sound thinking by the politicians, because this also means that companies can never divert from USB-C for charging, even if a better port type is found. Sure, USB-C is powerful right now, but what if technology advances to where a better bus type can be made - one that is more powerful, but requires a different form factor in order to deliver more power? Nope! We'll be stuck with USB-C forever, it seems.

                        I say this as a U.S. citizen, but it would be just as stupid if the U.S. enforced such a law. Also, some devices sold on a global scale will change for the U.S. too, all because of EU laws, so I have reason to complain. I'm not against other universal bus types that IMO deliver power just as well or better than USB-C, and continue to stick around for that reason.

                        Yeah, yeah. Go ahead and tell me I'm wrong. Haters gonna hate.

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                          • Anonymous
                          • pKL
                          • 30 Dec 2024

                          I worry about the durability of usb c ports. I have had one go and it's a weak point in the charging chain. The law will change for removable batteries but if the port is broken the phone will likely be junked.

                            I wished the EU banned all the uninstallable bloatware. Not only they unnecessarily consume resources, they even spy on us. For instance the Xiaomi Poco phones are infested with uninstallable apps that constantly access the Internet for no reason. I also wished removable battery became mandatory. Consumers are forced to throw out fully operational phones because of bulging batteries. Only a month ago I disposed of my Poco F3 because of the bulging battery.

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                              • EtherNomad
                              • GTd
                              • 30 Dec 2024

                              Having just one USB-C cable is highly practical in Europe. It reduces clutter, as a single cable works for multiple devices like phones, tablets, and laptops. Travelers benefit from lighter packing, especially in places with limited outlets, like trains or hotels. It’s eco-friendly, cost-effective, and USB-C’s universal compatibility ensures you’re future-proof and ready for almost any device.

                                rizki1, 30 Dec 2024ok time for Chinese brands to remove charger in the box..Since this year in Europe, many Chinese phones do not come with a charging adapter in the box. The first to appear was the tecno brand, followed by other brands, and samotechno said it was due to regulations European Union. So the Czech representative of the brand said so.

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                                  • Anonymous
                                  • tPG
                                  • 30 Dec 2024

                                  So when will removable battery coming back for smartphones?

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                                    • Anonymous
                                    • 0xR
                                    • 30 Dec 2024

                                    pl2rts, 30 Dec 2024I dont get why the charging brick needs to have type-c port... moreContinue charging your phone with type a or micro-usb. Gotta love the fragility and always putting cables wrong way, not to mention 5-10w charging speeds mmmm.

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                                      • Anonymous
                                      • A{Q
                                      • 30 Dec 2024

                                      3.5mm jack you can rotate 360°

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                                        • Gnusmas
                                        • puZ
                                        • 30 Dec 2024

                                        pl2rts, 30 Dec 2024I dont get why the charging brick needs to have type-c port... moreyes exactly, you need to buy more expensive Type C to Type C cable and also with these Type C chargers i have a problem that it doesn't sit in the socket as solid as Type A. I always prefer Type A whatever it's PC motherboard slots or smartphone charger.

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