In Europe, iPhones can be charged with Galaxy chargers... When will Korea follow?

EU to Standardize Charging Ports to USB-C from Late 2024
South Korea to Announce USB-C Integration and Compatibility as Early as Late November

[Image source=Pixabay]

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Lee Gyehwa] In Europe, iPhones will be able to be charged with Galaxy chargers. On the 24th (local time), the European Union (EU) Environment Council announced that it has finally approved the implementation of a bill to unify smartphone charging ports to USB-C type across the 27 EU member countries.

The USB-C type is a charging port mainly used for Android devices such as Galaxy chargers. Starting in 2024, portable electronic devices sold in the EU, including smartphones, tablets, headphones, digital cameras, video game consoles, wireless mice, and keyboards, will be required to use USB-C type charging ports.

Apple, a leading company that has insisted on the Lightning charging method, opposed the unification to USB-C type, arguing that it would unnecessarily discard already mass-produced products. However, the EU estimated that consumers could save 250 million euros (approximately 354.7 billion KRW) annually on purchasing new chargers due to this bill. It also estimated that electronic waste from chargers, amounting to 11,000 tons annually, could be reduced.

South Korea has also been promoting USB Type-C standardization centered on the National Institute of Technology and Standards. After a two-month public notice period starting in August, the standard is expected to be established as a KS (Korean Industrial Standard) by the end of next month through procedures such as a standards meeting. A domestic application plan to unify and make compatible charging ports of electronic products to USB-C type is expected to be announced as early as next month.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy’s National Institute of Technology and Standards announced on the 23rd that it is promoting the establishment of a national standard (KS) to integrate and make compatible connector shapes, power supply, and data transmission of electronic products to USB-C type to secure industrial competitiveness.

In South Korea, there have been consumer inconveniences due to the diversity of connection ports and communication methods in small electronic devices such as mobile phones, tablets, and portable speakers.

The National Institute of Technology and Standards plans to establish three of the 13 related international USB-C standards as national standards this year, considering the technical characteristics of USB-C type, and plans to sequentially establish the remaining 10 standards later. Lee Sang-hoon, head of the National Institute of Technology and Standards, stated, "We will expand policy support to resolve difficulties arising from the application of USB-C standards in the industry so that the public can use compliant products without inconvenience."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.