And people will be dismembered if they fail to comply.
Well that’s handy, because thanks to the EU that’s what everything will be using anyway.
What else are they going to mandate? That sand remains course and irritating? Or more likely demand that the rest of the world stops laughing at their Jetsons city idea.
This goes way further than EU rules.
EU regulation only mandates this for phones. This also covers non-phone electronics, such as mice, keyboards, flashlights, handheld fans, ebooks etc. As of 2026, it also applies to laptops.
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This will just lead to increased popularity of wireless charging
We’ve hit peak QI, almost.
Even Kindles have it now. Watches, phones, like 4 brands of earbuds I tested the other day (testing power share from the older samsungs), etc.
The only thing that doesn’t have it in our house is my oura ring, which as a G2 is the last one I want to buy from what that company has become, so it’s going to solve itself soon.
The only time I’d even use wireless charging is when I’m in bed. Any other time I need to be able to use my phone when it’s charging.
It seems like a good idea to have it built into a nightstand or built into your desk so your phone charges when you put it down. In practice you have to place the phone down in a very specific spot on the charger for it to work, so it’s hardly more convenient than a cable.
MagSafe battery and all other MagSafe accessories🤷🏻♂️. I charge exclusively by MagSafe aka wireless.
It’s just so incredibly sloooooow
I’ve never had time constraints and you don’t need two hands to charge your phone or have any cables dangling down. If you don’t use it, just put it on the charger. Done
You’ve never EVER had to just “charge real quick” before you head out with low battery? Really?
Government mandates electronics sounds very Communist. I thought were way past that already. Companies should be allowed to compete for charging standards without government interference. Let the invisible hand of capitalism self correct itself, though the heavens fall.
Yes, every government regulation is communism. No dangerous lead levels in drinking water, gasoline, etc.? Communism. Companies should be allowed to compete for lead level standards without government interference. Let the invisible hand of capitalism correct itself.
Yeah well the markets had plenty of time to regulate itself it hasn’t bothered to do so mostly because it contains Apple. Not every piece of government oversight is communism.
True… companies can come up with their charging standards. Just don’t try to sell it in all of EU or Saudi Arabia. Also apple overcharged for the damn cables and they break so quickly. last time I used iphone the cable was 20 euro. While I could buy 20 USB-C cables for that. Never had a broken USB-C cable. not even the ones for AliExpress
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If the USB-IF can agree on it, why not?
The USB-IF moves so slowly it might as well be standing still.
I think it’s good for USB standards to move slow.
Finally just about every device I buy has USB-C now. If they release a new connector that’ll just mean using 2 different cables for everything again.
Prince ibin-whateverface is an Android user and finds lightning annoying. That’s all this says to me. He’s not wrong, btw. For once.
See? This is how you should use your authoritarian powers
There is a second stage, starting from April 1, 2026, which will apply to laptops and portable computers.
I’m with them on small devices using USB C, but all laptops is a pretty tall task. Can gaming laptops that need a high voltage even use USB-C? They already struggle with massive charging bricks and thick cables.
The latest USB power delivery standard allows for new voltages of 28, 36, and 48 volts at up to 240 watts at 48V. My current Dell workstation laptop uses two 20V USB C connectors to achieve similar.
I’m imaginining some kind of monstrosity of a gaming laptop with a power cable that looks like a hydra splitting into three or four USB-C connectors, and it’s gloriously silly.
Maybe it’s time for a new thing similar to USB 3.0 micro B, with two USB-C connectors next to each other on the same plug.
Pretty much, they magnet together though so you can split them apart and use them as normal with other devices.
There are already laptops with docking stations that take 2 USB-C connectors. Annoyingly, the docking stations come with a Franken-connector of 2 USB-C plugs in one solid plastic housing so you can only use the dock with a specific laptop.
It would make since to say something like usb-c is required for up to x volts. Then x-y volts require this other kind of charger.
I mean it’s totally valid if the required technology literally can’t handle certain applications that there needs to a level 2, level 3, and onward option.
I recently bought a gaming laptop. Specifically a Lenovo Legion 5 with a rx 6600. It has both the big powerbrick charger and can be charged via USB-PD, obv not at the same speed but it is an option that is available.
your gaming laptop is struggling because gaming laptops are scams. you’ll never get the performance you want and you’ll pay the premium anyways.
Probably. But your will have to buy the correct charger and cable. I have a couple 100W cables. The problem is they Al look alike.
The label maker business is about to be booming!
I specifically buy cables with different colors or from different brands as I upgrade, and keep a note around for what their PD capacity is for each set. It’s annoying, but doable.
the ASUS ROG STRIX SCAR 17, their biggest baddest gamiest 17" laptop, ships with a power adapter rated for 280W. it also offers charging over USB-PD at up to 240W, so would comply with the regulation here.
i think some companies use seperate ports for charging and gaming on gaming laptops
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That would be clause 9: “It is also necessary to provide the basis for adaptation to any future scientific and technological progress or market developments, which will be continuously monitored by the Commission”
Will this global push end up limiting miniaturization of electronics? Even if it does, may still be a worthwhile tradeoff.
It aims to eliminate waste by reducing the number of cords and plugs required for various devices. It will surely have to be upgraded and miniaturized as tech progresses, but for now it’s one everyone is agreeing on.
One aspect to consider for miniature devices is wireless charging. My watch and my headphones don’t even have a port
Common Saudi Arabia W
Let’s be real, they just want to have more of a reason to execute American iPhone-loving tourists 😂
The problem with these types of mandates is it locks us into standards and makes change hard. Imagine if they had done this when the terrible USB port was dominant.
Or, it gives all the power to the USB group. They have a terrible track record (USB-C is a mess).
The other problem is all the cheap devices that have a USB-C port, but will not charge from a real USB-C to USB-C cable. They are the same old USB ports electrically with a new shape.
These are bad laws with good intents.
Standards can be updated. Like the EU standard was from Micro-USB to USB-C. It happens all the time in all fields of technology.
How quickly will a standard be updated if the mandate encourages companies to entrench on the current standard? Industries built around the legislative certainty of the current standard may exert influence to inhibit moves to new standards, even if there are good reasons to move on.
What if we had mandated, by law, that all monitors must use the VGA connector in 1995? Would that have made DVI or HDMI or later technologies less likely to take off?
Suppose a company sees an opportunity for a better standard with such a law in place. They would have to develop the new standard and create the market for the new standard, all while their change is forbidden by law. How can they propose a new standard before actually developing it? Then, after sinking the costs on a hope, they would have to pay more to fight to change the law to encompass the new standard against everyone who likes it the way it is.
Don’t get me wrong. It would be neat if every doodad I had used the same connector. But soon enough, any connector we care to choose is a straitjacket. We raise the standard for improvement from being incremental and iterative to no change short of world shaking all at one go.
It’s locking nobody with no standard. The standard is evolving time to time. This argument of locking the user which by the way is the same as “competition is the better” is the Apple argument to impose it’s locked (walled garden) ecosystem.
It’s well known strategy to argue in a way that isn’t your goal to achieve another one. Apple is a master here. They use this same strategy with the future mandatory easy battery replacement.
I second this. How could anyone argue that regulation is bad for user? Standardization locks user in, what kind of logic is that?
I’m not sure about the SA one, but the EU variant of that law already has this thought through.
It has allowances already for new emerging standards. If USB-D came out, there would be zero law changes required.
always amazed by people who think “well, if we accept USB-C, we will never be able to have any future tech!” as if the regulation hasnt thought of that.
Which clause of the legislation provides for moving on to a new standard, short of new legislation?
That would be clause 9:
"It is also necessary to provide the basis for adaptation to any future scientific and technological progress or market developments, which will be continuously monitored by the Commission
God that last one drives me up a fucking wall. My partner’s laptop refuses to charge with anything except the officially supported power adapter, even though it’s just a USB-C connector. Everything I’ve plugged it into has been rated for the 100W that the laptop needs to charge, but the damned device locks out anything except official chargers under the guise of safety.
Nintendo Switch did/does the same
That’s because the Switch’s USB port isn’t actually a USB-C. Their port falls outside of the standard size/dimension specs, because they wanted the Switch to slide smoothly into the dock instead of having a positive click like a standard USB-C should.
This is why using a standard USB-C on your Switch can actually brick the device. Since the port is non-standard, the pins are much easier to accidentally short when plugging a standard USB-C into it. There was a big string of people complaining about bricked devices shortly after the Switch launched, and eventually players just learned to only use the official Switch chargers. But that’s only necessary because Nintendo told the USB-C standard to go fuck itself, and made a port that is almost the same (and will technically accept a standard USB-C port) but does everything slightly differently.
The Switch charger also has a power switching option, since the Switch draws more power when it’s docked than when you plug it in directly. So the power supply is set up to detect whether or not the dock is connected, so it can supply more power.
There is a second stage, starting from April 1, 2026, which will apply to laptops and portable computers.
I hate this type of legislation. Almost zero USB chargers can power a laptop. But politicians don’t know that. So this won’t reduce the number of chargers. Unless they’re requiring all charges support the full PD spec?
Leave standards to experts.
Edited: Yes i fucking know many laptops use USB-C power now. You’re not smart in telling me this. I mean that most USB chargers are cheap crap that can’t put out enough power to run a laptop. Not all USB is the same.
They don’t mean laptops have to run off of a phone charger. It says they need USB-C charging ports. Many laptops already run power via a USB-C slot right now.
…and you can charge your phone with the laptop USB-C charger just fine.
So - like I know that many laptops charge from USB-C right now. The one I’m typing on does. Why do people seem to think they’re smart in pointing this out?
So then what’s the point? People will still be buying cheap USB chargers because, well, they’re cheap. And they’ll have the expensive one for their laptop. Problem…solved?
Nobody thinks they’re smart in pointing it out, and it’s weird that that’s the impression you’re getting. If anything, we’re pointing it out because your comment reads like you have no idea that USB-C charging ports already exist. If you’re looking for someone to blame, look inwards. It’s your own imprecise language and poor writing skills that got you here.
But your new concern isn’t any better. It’s still as inane as what you poorly expressed it the first time. People having been using chargers for decades, and your argument is that all this knowledge will magically be erased because they mandated USB-C on devices causing people to try to charge their laptops, which come with dedicated chargers, with cheap $3 ones off Ali Express? How? Why? What different effect would a regulation like this coming from tech experts instead of politicians have when the problem appears to be suddenly-induced mass forgetfulness of how electricity works? This doesn’t make any sense.
If people already see a USB-C charging port on their laptop, know it came with a dedicated charger, and have access to a cheap USB-C phone charger, then why would they only think to try them together after this regulation passes and not right this very second? What does it even matter if they try? It doesn’t harm anything, it just doesn’t charge or power the device.
I charge my MacBook pro with a 40W Anker brick overnight. Works like a charm. Probably better for the device longevity too…
Leave standards to experts.
That’s what everybody did at first. It gave us a different connector for each device. After a few decades, there are still competing standards. Either the experts are incompetent, or the business environment they’re in doesn’t incentivize single standards.
Or, and go with me here, it’s a non-issue? Like it’s fine to have multiple standards for different uses?
All they did was standardize the shape of the connector. Not the voltage, power output, etc. So you’ll still have multiple competing standards and it will be a bit more confusing as “not all USB chargers will be able to power your laptop.”
Or, it’s totally not a non-issue? Like, I remember the time when you had to carry around a fucking proprietary charger for every single fucking device?
Yeah, no shit, you can’t power your megaultragaminglaptop4000™ with a 5 V 500 mA charger. Whodathunk.
Like, I remember the time when you had to carry around a fucking proprietary charger for every single fucking device?
Oh yes - we refer to those days as “the dark days”. I’m still scarred for life for having to have multiple chargers.
You can have “a preferred state” without “passing a law enforcing it.” The world is marching towards USB as it is. Passing a law for this was stupid and useless.
🥱 Oh look, Mr Gotcha is still on it.
Honey, you were so close from realizing what utter bullshit you’re talking when you moved from „tHeY jUsT sTaNdArDiZeD a CoNnEcToR“ to „it’s a collection of standards!“.
Don’t cry, you can still use as many chargers as you want, that’s okay. You’re okay.
You said it yourself „leave standards to experts“. I suggest you do that and go outside and play with the other 3rd graders, mh?
Honey, you were so close from realizing what utter bullshit you’re talking when you moved from „tHeY jUsT sTaNdArDiZeD a CoNnEcToR“ to „it’s a collection of standards!“
You realize USB has more than one protocol for power delivery right? In what way do you think those two statements are contradictory? And within those standards are a range of viable voltages and power outputs. Not every USB charger can deliver the power to a laptop. Most can’t.
I don’t want multiple standards - I’m just saying it’s idiotic to pass a law requiring one connector.
The purported purpose of this law is to “reduce e-waste” and I believe it will do no such thing. 240W USB adapters are expensive so people will continue to buy the low-cost cables and chargers for, e.g. charging their phone on their desk at work.
Look, there’s no need to repeat your incoherent drivel ad nauseam. Nobody cares what the fuck you think other people will do.
The only valuable thing you’ve said in the last days was, again, „leave standards to experts“.
Since you seem to be really slow on the uptake: you’re not one of them.
Now please go outside and play with the other children, okay?
I dunno about the SA law but the EU law mandates USB-PD support.
Of course they can’t mandate the wattage level since every device will have different wattage needs, but I can use my $35 100W USB-PD charger with any USB device I have at home just fine
What is the law solving then? You still have many chargers with different support for power, voltage, etc. You just have one “shape” now. And I’ll still have multiple adapters since I’m not shelling out 240W prices to have a charger in my car for my phone.
It’s just standardization for the sake of standardization.
When I’m travelling, I can bring one single charger to charge my laptop, my phone, my tablet, my wireless earbuds, my flashlight, my powerbank, my e-Reader and my bike pump.
In your world I would have to bring eight different chargers. That’s a pretty big issue to me.
So we’re just passing laws for convenience then?
In your world there are multiple operating systems. It’s a pain for me so I think there should be only one.
It does not say that it has to ONLY have UBC-C charging, my laptop will charge from USB-C and the dedicated charging port. I wonder if that would be complaint.
I have 6 laptops that can charge from type-C, including from battery banks and the last “cell phone” charger I got (OnePlus 9).
???
Most laptops charge over USB C nowadays
What do you mean? My M1 MacBook charges just fine on USB-C. Do you mean that 1A USB chargers can’t do the job? Cause they can’t
yes - this is exactly what I mean. They’ve legislated the interface but not the standard.
It’s all part of the USB standard, there can be different “levels” of chargers. If I’m just travelling with my phone, I don’t want to have to bring a 240W charger. It would be way too expensive and also too big/heavy. The good thing is, if you have to bring a big charger anyway, you can also use it to charge your phone or your headphones. That’s what the standard is all about.
So then what problem has been solved? Ostensibly this was to reduce the number of chargers and cables. But that situation will still exist with this law. You may have some more convenience but… Is that worth passing a law over?
I run an M1 Macbook off USB-C daily.
Not sure I get your complaint, most people will just use the charger their laptop comes with. With this legislation that charger would be a usb-c and therefore able to power most other devices so you’d only need to bring your laptop charger when you travel, I do this now with my Mac charger which works with my phone, switch, headphones, vape etc. , reducing the amount of chargers you need. Sure someone might lose their charger and buy a cheap one or just bring their phone charger and realize it doesn’t work, but that’s there problem for not researching and they’ll learn that they need a special charger for their laptop. We shouldn’t let a few idiots ruin things for everyone.
My laptop charges only over usb-c
Good for you. You missed the point entirely but I’m proud of you and your laptop.
I read your edit and I get it now. The power output of different chargers are not the same. My phone charger is 15 W, and my laptop charger 65 W (or maybe 45 W? I forgot). Charging my laptop with my phone charger does not work.
Yes, there are USB-C chargers that are made for smaller devices and can’t charge a notebook. So what? The alternative would be going back to proprietary chargers that can only charge one specific model.
I have a 100W USB-C-charger in my car, I have one by my bed, one on my couch, one at my desk and one powerbank that can charge my notebook anywhere I go.
Going back to proprietary chargers would mean if my notebook breaks, I can throw all these chargers in the trash and buy a new set. How would that make anything better?
The alternative would be going back to proprietary chargers that can only charge one specific model.
I realize you’re exaggerating but all you’re doing is standardizing on size and shape of the connector. Not the power standards it supports. If your laptop needs 240W PD 3.0 and your car supports 100W QC3 you’re still out of business. If your laptop uses QC3 but needs 12v and the adapter only supports 9v you’re still out of business.
USB is not a standard. It is a collection of standards.
I have never had a 65W+ USB charger that had trouble charging any of my USB-C devices, including my notebook. Yes, USB has different standards, but most chargers support several different ones. Especially with third-party chargers, people want them to work with their device no matter what it is and USB makes it easy for manufacturers to offer that.
