End of an Era for iPhones in the EU: A Shift to USB-C
As of now, consumers in the European Union can no longer purchase the iPhone 14 or the iPhone SE 3 directly from Apple. This change also affects numerous older Apple accessories that have vanished from retail availability within the EU market.
The New Charging Standard in Europe
This significant transformation stems from a recent EU regulation, which took effect on Saturday, prohibiting the sale of smartphones equipped with proprietary charging ports. Apple has been particularly impacted by this new legislation.
Throughout 2022, lawmakers in the European Parliament introduced a directive designating USB-C as the uniform charging standard for a diverse array of consumer electronics. The deadline set for compliance is December 28, 2024, by which time all apple-faces-possible-eu-sales-shutdown-for-iphone-14-and-se-by-year-end/” title=”Apple Faces Possible EU Sales Shutdown for iPhone 14 and SE by Year-End!”>phones sold within EU boundaries must utilize a USB-C connection.
Aiming to Minimize Electronic Waste
The motivation behind this regulation is primarily environmental sustainability. Each time an individual transitions from an iPhone to an Android device—of which there are millions across Europe—the previous Lightning cables typically become obsolete and discarded. Under this new law, both old and new devices will be compatible with identical charging cables.
As part of these regulations, both the iPhone SE 3 and iPhone 14 are affected due to their dependence on Apple’s exclusive Lightning port; they can no longer be retailed within European markets as of Saturday. Recent checks revealed that these models have indeed been removed from Apple’s online stores in major countries like France.
The Transition with New Models
This legislative shift does not mean Apple’s entire product lineup has been eliminated; starting in 2023, subsequent models such as the iPhone 15 and projected iPhone 16 will feature a USB-C port instead of Lightning connectors.
A Broader Range Impacted by Regulation
This new legislation isn’t limited solely to smartphones; it stipulates that all newly manufactured mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones and headsets—alongside handheld game consoles and portable speakers—must come equipped with a USB Type-C port if they recharge via wired connections operationally rated up to 100 Watts.
Consequently, various Apple accessories utilizing Lightning connectors will also be discontinued within Europe—including earlier iterations like Magic Mouse and Magic Keyboard. However, those products have been phased out over recent months in favor of updated versions that accommodate USB-C connections.
An Exception for Existing Users
An exception exists regarding purchasing options: Current users who own devices with Lightning ports can still acquire replacement charging cables or obtain adapters designed for USB-A connections without issue.
