TechPhonesUK set to follow EU with landmark ruling that’ll change your devices foreverThis could revolutionise the UK phone marketWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
TechPhonesUK set to follow EU with landmark ruling that’ll change your devices foreverThis could revolutionise the UK phone marketWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
This could revolutionise the UK phone market
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
Quick SummaryThe UK Government could adopt a key piece of EU legislation to change your phone forever.Reports suggest it is considering adopting a charging standard, similar to USB-C in the EU.
The UK Government could adopt a key piece of EU legislation to change your phone forever.Reports suggest it is considering adopting a charging standard, similar to USB-C in the EU.
The UK Government could adopt a key piece of EU legislation to change your phone forever.Reports suggest it is considering adopting a charging standard, similar to USB-C in the EU.
The UK Government could adopt a key piece of EU legislation to change your phone forever.
Reports suggest it is considering adopting a charging standard, similar to USB-C in the EU.
If you’re a fan of thebest phoneson the market, you’re likely a lover of small differences. Because – let’s face it – there really isn’t a lot of major differentiation between handsets these days.
Sure, each brand will try to sell you on their version of perfection, but those tend to be amendments more than huge changes. One of the biggest differentiators in recent years has been the charging port.
WhileUSB-Chas broadly become the norm these days, you don’t need to travel too far back in time to see everything from Micro-USB onAndroid phonesto Lightning cables foriPhone. The major change came when the EU passed legislation stating that USB-C was the standard, and devices must adhere to using it.
Now, the UK Government is looking into a similar piece of legislation. According toThe Register, a consultation process has started, to ascertain whether the UK needs a universal standard for charging connections – and whether that should also be USB-C.
The original EU drive had a strong focus on the environmental impact. The decision would cut 11,000 tonnes of waste every year, they said, and could save consumers up to €250m (approx £209m / $273m / AU$406m). Both of those fit into the current government’s stance, while also leaning into the Prime Minister’s aim toresetrelations with the European Union.
The process is currently in the very earliest stages of consultation, so don’t expect any major changes soon. It’s also quite unlikely to yield any major changes.
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If the EU directive was enough to makeApple– one of the largest, and most vocal, opposers to the scheme – change tact, it’s effectively sorted. It may not form part of the UK’s legislation, but manufacturers are highly unlikely to manufacture a specific model just for us either.
I believe the only way this will make any tangible difference would be if the UK Government decided to use adifferentcharging standard. That would require manufacturers selling to the UK market to produce different devices to other territories. I’d wager that the chances of that happening are similar to those of Shergar winning the next Grand National, though.
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