The European Union aims to have a common charging port for mobile phones, tablets and headphones under a European Commission proposal presented on Thursday in a world first, with the move impacting iPhone-maker Apple more than its rivals.
The move has been more than 10 years in the making, with the European Union executive touting environmental benefits and €250 million ($293 million) in annual savings for users.
Under the commission's proposal, a USB-C connector will become the standard port for all smartphones, tablets, cameras, headphones, portable speakers and handheld video game consoles. Chargers will also be sold separately from electronic devices.