In a setback for Apple, Reuters quoted sources close to European lawmakers as saying the European Union could reach a deal on June 7 on a single mobile charging port. EU countries and EU lawmakers will agree on a common port specification for mobile phones, tablets and headphones when they meet on June 7 to discuss a proposal slammed by Apple, people familiar with the matter said.
The European Commission first proposed a single mobile charging port more than a decade ago after iPhone and Android users complained about having to use different phone chargers. The former charges via a Lightning cable, while the Android-based device uses the USB-C connector for power.
Next Tuesday’s trilateral dialogue will be the second and possibly last discussion on the subject between EU countries and EU lawmakers, in a sign that they are pushing hard for a deal. Unresolved issues include expanding the scope of the proposal to laptops, a key request from EU lawmakers that could affect what comes next from Samsung and Huawei and other device makers.
The European Parliament also wants to include the harmonization of wireless charging specifications by 2025, while EU countries and commissions want a longer preparation period for technical reasons.
Apple had no immediate comment, but the company has previously stated that the inappropriate use of outdated international standards stifles innovation and that forcing users to replace their chargers with a new one could generate a lot of e-waste.
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