JAKARTA The Indian government and electronics industry stakeholders in the country, on Wednesday 16 November, have approved the gradual launch of a USB-C-uniform charging port for devices including smartphones and laptops.

The USB-C connector adoption, which is used by many Android-based devices, is expected to cost Apple Inc whose iPhone is charged with current Lightning cables.

iPhone makers must replace chargers for their phones in the European Union from the fall of 2024, to comply with a new rule that mandates a charging port for most electronic devices.

"The broad consensus comes among stakeholders about the adoption of USB Type-C as a charging port for electronic devices," the Indian Ministry of Consumer Affairs said in a statement after a government task force meeting with an industry group representing smartphone players.

Different charging options can be adopted for phones that don't have more advanced smartphone features, such as being able to use the web to download apps, the ministry says.

The ministry also said a group would also be formed to check the feasibility of a uniform charging port for wearable devices, such as earphones and smartwatches.

The statement did not mention the name of the company attending the meeting or approved a proposal to gradually launch port uniformity. The Indian government will conduct a study to assess the environmental impact of switching to a uniform charging port.

While Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Reuters. The iPhone maker also faces similar problems after the European Union also designated the USB-C port as the only charging port for gadgets in the region. This is done because it is a savings effort so that there are not many types of charging ports and circulating data.


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