No USB-C: Apple apparently withdraws iPhone 14 and SE from EU sales
According to a report, the last two iPhones with a Lightning port will soon disappear from the manufacturer's stores. But a replacement is near.
USB-C has only been available in new iPhones since last year.
(Image: Sebastian Trepesch)
Goodbye Lightning iPhones: According to a report, Apple is pulling the plug on the older iPhone model series earlier than usual at the end of the year. According to information from igen.fr, the manufacturer will soon be withdrawing the iPhone 14, 14 Plus and iPhone SE from its own online stores and retail outlets in the European Union. The three model variants are the last iPhones with a Lightning connector that Apple is currently still selling as new. The company has not yet confirmed the move.
After the introduction of a new iPhone generation, Apple usually continues to offer the previous models for two years. The iPhone 14 is expected to remain on sale outside the EU – until September 2025.
USB-C as the new, old charging standard
From December 28, 2024, USB Type-C will be the uniformly prescribed charging standard for smartphones and other electronic devices in Germany and other EU member states. Apple long insisted on the Lightning connector for the iPhone and tried to torpedo the EU directive. The fight against USB-C seemed increasingly absurd; after all, MacBooks were completely converted to USB-C back in 2016 – to the annoyance of many customers, who had to deal with numerous adapters as a result. Apple also began replacing Lightning ports with USB-C on iPads in 2018.
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It would then take another five years for the iPhone: USB-C was only installed in the iPhone 15 series, which was launched in fall 2023. Apple announced shortly after the launch of the iPhone 14 that it would "naturally" comply with the EU requirement for a standardized charging socket. However, it would be better if governments "did not prescribe" technical standards. Apple argued that the change would ultimately lead to more rather than less electronic waste.
Apart from the iPhone 14, 14 Plus and SE, Lightning has practically disappeared at Apple, and the company's own peripherals have also recently switched to USB-C. iPhones have also been able to be charged inductively for several years – via Qi/Qi2 and MagSafe.
iPhone SE 4 probably coming in spring 2025
A successor to the iPhone SE is already on the horizon: The iPhone SE 4 is expected to be unveiled in spring 2025. According to the rumors, this will bring Apple's new entry-level model significantly up to date. The housing design is likely to be based on the iPhone 14, but with USB-C, a newer chip and more RAM to support the AI functions of Apple Intelligence. With its home button and 4.7" display, the iPhone SE 3 currently offered by Apple for over 500 euros is still reminiscent of the iPhone 6 launched in 2014.
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