USB-C accepted as the uniform charging port in India by all stakeholders: What this means for consumers | Digit

In a central inter-ministerial task force meeting held yesterday, all the stakeholders including smartphone manufacturers have agreed to adopt USB-C as the uniform charging port. However, there’s a catch. It will be done in a phased manner. In any case, eventually, the market will have a standard charging port and it will be beneficial to the consumers. Let’s see how.

USB-C as the uniform charging port in India: What the stakeholders have to say?

USB-C will be used as the charging port for electronic devices like smartphones, tablets, laptops, etc. The list of devices excludes wearables. A dedicated sub-group will be created to see if a uniform charging port makes sense for devices like smartwatches, fitness bands, etc. 

Even within the phones category, feature or basic phones may be assigned a different charging port. 

So, the new decision doesn’t cover all electronic devices. But, for what it’s worth, this is a move in the right direction. 

“Stakeholders agreed that a phased roll-out of the common charging port may be conducted so that the same can be applied by the industry and adopted by consumers harmoniously,” remarks an official statement.

“Industry should overcome inertia in adopting a uniform charging port in the interest of consumer welfare and prevention of avoidable e-waste,” Consumer Affairs secretary Rohit Kumar Singh.

Now it’s about a time when we get to see USB-C on new smartphones, laptops, and tablets. We won’t have to bother with buying or carrying around different charger types. From an ecological standpoint, this could reduce e-waste and result in ‘mindful and wasteful consumption’ instead. 

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