EU's USB-C mandate forces Apple to pull remaining iPhone 14 and SE models from online stores
Referential image of 2nd gen iPhone SE (2020). | Image credit — PhoneArena
However, this new rule, which went into effect on December 28, 2023, also means that any iPhones sold after this date — even older models — must have a USB-C port. While the latest iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 models already have USB-C ports, the iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14, and the current iPhone SE still use the older Lightning port.
iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14. | Image credit — PhoneArena
The United Kingdom (UK), which left the EU in 2020, is not affected by this change. However, Northern Ireland, which is still part of the EU's single market, is included in this change. Apple started removing these iPhone models from its EU online stores last week, and it is expected that these models will also disappear from physical Apple Stores and other authorized sellers in the coming days.
Hopefully, the rumors that Apple will be announcing a new version of the iPhone SE with a USB-C port in March turn out to be true. As for the iPhone 14 series, it was likely going to be discontinued later this year anyway, so this just speeds up their retirement a bit. Farewell, Lightning.
It will be interesting to see how this affects Apple's sales in Europe, if at all. Now that Apple's newer models are equipped with USB-C, we finally have a standardized charging port that we can use with most of our technology. Now, let's see about getting rid of Micro USB once and for all, please.
It will be interesting to see how this affects Apple's sales in Europe, if at all. Now that Apple's newer models are equipped with USB-C, we finally have a standardized charging port that we can use with most of our technology. Now, let's see about getting rid of Micro USB once and for all, please.
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