Saudi Arabia Now Requires USB-C Charging for Phones

Starting from 2025, both Apple’s iPhone and Android smartphones sold in Saudi Arabia will be required to have a USB-C charging port, with laptops following suit in 2026. This regulation comes after the European Union’s decision to mandate USB-C charging for smartphones. The Saudi government aims to reduce e-waste, lower costs, and enhance user experience by making it easier to find compatible cables and enabling faster data transfers. The announcement was made by the Saudi Standards, Metrology, and Quality Organization along with the Communications, Space, and Technology Commission.

The law will be implemented in two stages: from January 1, 2025, new smartphones, headphones, keyboards, speakers, and routers must feature USB-C ports, and from April 1, 2026, this requirement will extend to laptops. Although this move is unlikely to affect Apple significantly, as they are already expected to transition to USB-C for their iPhones, they have not officially responded to the decision. In the past, Apple has argued against a common charger, expressing concerns about stifling innovation and increasing e-waste. There were rumors that Apple might limit charging and data transfer speeds for uncertified USB-C cables, but the EU warned that this action would lead to a ban on iPhone sales.