Apple will quickly take iPhone SE and iPhone 14 off the cabinets within the EU. Photograph: Unsplash
Apple will reportedly cease promoting the iPhone SE (third gen) and iPhone 14 within the EU by the top of this yr. It would do that to adjust to the EU’s directive, which mandates all smartphones to make use of USB-C for charging.
Apple solely switched to USB-C on its smartphone lineup with the iPhone 15’s launch in 2023.
Apple can not promote iPhones with Lightning connector within the EU
The European Parliament voted in October 2022 to make USB-C the usual charging port throughout quite a lot of shopper gadgets, together with headphones, tablets, cameras, and telephones. It made this transfer to cut back e-waste, benefitting customers and the atmosphere. The EU then gave Apple and different firms till the top of 2024 to stick to the brand new regulation.
The European Union first proposed making USB-C necessary for shopper gadgets in September 2021.
With simply a few weeks left earlier than the regulation goes into impact, Apple continues promoting the iPhone SE (third gen) and iPhone 14 with Lightning port within the EU. To adjust to the directive, it should supposedly quickly cease promoting these telephones within the European Union by its on-line and retail shops, studies iGeneration. Apple can proceed promoting the iPhone 14 in different markets worldwide with out points. This transfer will even not have an effect on current iPhone 14 or iPhone SE customers in any manner.
Rumors level to the 2025 iPhone SE launching in spring 2025. It would change to USB-C and pack different large upgrades. This consists of an iPhone 14-like design and Apple’s in-house 5G modem.
EU desires to make battery replacements simpler, too
Due to the EU’s stress, Apple has switched solely to USB-C throughout all its gadgets. It even up to date the AirPods Max earlier this yr with USB-C.
The European Parliament is forcing Apple and different firms to make battery alternative simpler on their gadgets as properly. It handed a regulation in June 2023, mandating producers to make gadgets “that consumers can themselves easily remove and replace them.”
