Robert Triggs / Android Authority
TL;DR
- Phone makers and other tech companies have reportedly agreed to switch to USB-C as a common charging standard in India.
- The decision was taken at an inter-ministerial meeting.
- Apple reportedly has no objection to the switch to USB-C.
Smartphone manufacturers and associations representing technology companies in India have reportedly agreed to adopt USB-C as a standard charging port for phones, laptops and tablets. According to The economic times, government officials confirmed the agreement after an inter-ministerial task force meeting was held to discuss the matter.
Industry stakeholders, including Samsung, Apple, and PC manufacturers such as HP, Dell, and Lenovo, were reportedly present at the meeting. An industry executive confirmed that Apple was not opposed to the move to USB-C as a common charging standard. The Cupertino phone maker is one of the most affected brands when USB-C becomes mandatory. Its phones and some iPads currently rely on the proprietary Lightning port, and part of the company’s revenue also comes from selling Lightning accessories.
There’s no confirmed timeline for when India will mandate USB-C on all devices, but an anonymous industry executive said it would happen after the change takes effect in Europe.
Last month, the European Council final approval to its common charging initiative. It requires all electronic devices to have USB-C charging by fall 2024 to reduce e-waste and help consumers save money. Laptops have been given an extended deadline to adopt the standard in spring 2026.
The implications of India following in Europe’s footsteps in requiring USB-C charging across devices could be quite significant. It’s the second largest smartphone market in the world, so if the country standardizes the charging port, it could reduce the chances of region-specific charging differences.
That said, there is still time before the EU mandate takes effect. We’ll have to wait and see how it all plays out and whether more countries follow suit to join the common charger initiative.