EU Mandates USB Type-C: A Decade of Development and Future Implications In-Depth Analysis

EU Mandates USB Type-C: A Decade of Development and Future Implications In-Depth AnalysisOn December 28, 2024, the EU's 2022/2380 Common Charger Directive officially came into effect, mandating the use of USB Type-C charging ports for specified electronic devices sold in EU member states. This means products like the Apple iPhone 14 series and iPhone SE 3, which still use Lightning ports, have been officially removed from the EU market

EU Mandates USB Type-C: A Decade of Development and Future Implications In-Depth Analysis

On December 28, 2024, the EU's 2022/2380 Common Charger Directive officially came into effect, mandating the use of USB Type-C charging ports for specified electronic devices sold in EU member states. This means products like the Apple iPhone 14 series and iPhone SE 3, which still use Lightning ports, have been officially removed from the EU market. This article delves into the ten-year development of the USB Type-C port and the impact of the EU regulation on the future of electronics purchasing.

I. Farewell to Lightning: Apple's Reluctant Move

Starting with the iPhone 15 series released in 2023, Apple finally switched the iPhone's charging port from Lightning to USB Type-C. However, the standard iPhone 15 only supports USB 2.0 speeds, with only the Pro models supporting the 10Gbps USB 3 standard. Both support 4K video output. Other Apple products like AirPods Max, Magic Mouse, Magic Keyboard, and Magic Trackpad have also been updated to USB-C, although the Magic Mouse's port location remains unchanged.

This "update" can be seen as a necessary compromise for Apple to continue selling its products in the EU. For the iPhone 14 series and iPhone SE 3, Apple clearly didn't want to undertake another product refresh. Currently, Apple's websites in Germany, France, and other EU countries have removed the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, and iPhone SE 3. No changes have been made to websites in China, the US, and other regions. The iPhone SE 3 is expected to be globally discontinued next year with the launch of the iPhone SE 4, but the discontinuation timeline for the iPhone 14 series outside the EU remains unclear.

Reports suggest the iPhone SE 4 will be a performance upgrade of the iPhone 14, omitting the ultrawide lens. The iPhone 15 differentiates itself slightly with the "Dynamic Island" design, but the iPhone 14 will face an awkward situation. If Apple discontinues the iPhone 14 series directly, the product price range will be incomplete in the first half of next year. Whether the iPhone 14 series is globally discontinued early next year with the launch of the iPhone SE 4 or waits until the September release of the iPhone 17 series, the retirement of the Lightning port is inevitable.

II. USB Type-C: A Decade of Evolution

The USB Type-C connector was jointly developed by Intel, HP, Microsoft, and the USB-IF association. Its 1.0 specification was officially released on August 11, 2014. Compared to the previous USB Micro-B connector, USB Type-C features reversible plug orientation and significantly improved durability. Its 24-pin design laid the foundation for the introduction of high-speed transmission capabilities.

The USB 3.0 Micro-B connector, in an effort to maintain compatibility, had a complex design, something many older users will remember. The Nokia N1 tablet, launched in China on January 7, 2015, was one of the first devices to feature a USB Type-C port. 2015 is considered the "first year" of USB Type-C; the LeEco Le 1 was the first Android phone to feature a Type-C port.

Apple pioneered the adoption of USB Type-C on its Mac computers. The 12-inch MacBook, released in March 2015, featured only a single USB-C port and a 3.5mm headphone jack. The following year, the new MacBook Pro adopted an all-Type-C design; in 2018, the iPad Pro also began using Type-C. The Nintendo Switch, launched in 2017, also uses USB-C for charging and as a connection point between the console and its dock, although its protocol isn't a standard charging and video output protocol.

Today, USB Type-C is widely used in various electronic products, including phones, computers, tablets, lamps, toothbrushes, and razors. If a new product doesn't have a Type-C charging port, it becomes news.

III. Transfer Rate and Power: Complex Technical Standards

Despite the uniform form factor of the USB-C connector, it involves highly complex technology and functionality combinations. Multiple technical standards, including USB4, Thunderbolt 3/4/5, Power Delivery (PD), and DisplayPort, can be used with USB-C, leading to consumer confusion.

USB-C ports can offer data transfer speeds ranging from 480Mbps to 80Gbps. The USB-IF association's naming standards have also caused controversy, but the latest official naming standard is simplified to directly indicate the transfer rate. Besides the transfer rate, when choosing cables, one must also consider their power handling capacity; the current highest specification is a 240W cable supporting 48V5A.

The cable included in the iPhone box is a 480Mbps USB 2.0 transfer rate, 3A current, supporting a maximum power of 60W. With the increasing number of small household appliances powered by Type-C, some devices may fail to charge due to improper implementation, potentially damaging the device. Consumers should exercise caution.

IV. 2026: Laptops Also Go Fully USB-C

The EU has extended the mandatory use of USB-C ports to laptops, effective April 28, 2026. This directive also standardizes the requirement for "full" support of PD fast charging, stipulating that the power delivery capability of proprietary protocols cannot exceed that of the USB PD protocol within the PD 3.1 EPR 240W (48V5A) power range.

Currently, high-end gaming laptops require over 200W of power under full load, and many are equipped with 330W power adapters. For these devices, the USB-C port must mandatorily support a maximum power of PD 3.1 EPR 240W. Some computers use a "modified" version of the Type-C port, exceeding the original 100W power limit, but typically maintaining a constant 20V voltage and increasing the current. The PD 3.1 EPR standard, however, supports higher voltages such as 28V, 36V, and 48V, placing higher demands on the laptop's buck-boost circuit and further increasing costs.

The 2026 deadline is slightly awkward, as the "big year" for simultaneous CPU and GPU updates is 2025. This forces PC manufacturers to either meet EU regulations with their 2025 products or wait until 2026, and to decide whether to support PD 3.1 EPR 240W globally or only offer EU-specific SKUs.

V. Conclusion: The Future of USB-C

Ten years ago, the arrival of USB-C sparked anticipation for a unified interface future. Despite naming confusion and version complexity, the standardized interface undoubtedly offers a more user-friendly experience. We are witnessing the complete exit of the Lightning port from Apple's product line, and in two years, EU laptops will also be fully equipped with USB-C ports. The future of "one cable to rule them all" is within reach. For both consumers and manufacturers, the USB-C story is far from over.