At the close of this year, the iPhone SE and iPhone 14 series will no longer be offered in Europe. This change stems from a European Union mandate that requires all mobile devices to utilize USB-C for charging, as reported by iGeneration. While newer models in Apple’s range already comply with this standard, both the iPhone SE and the iPhone 14 do not.
Although the iPhone SE and iPhone 14 series are not the latest models, they have still been available for purchase in Europe. However, as the deadline looms, these devices will be removed from store shelves. Although customers have various alternatives, this decision means the European market will lack an iPhone SE option until the next model arrives in 2025.
Typically, Apple continues selling the iPhone 14 until the release of the iPhone 17, after which the iPhone 14 would be phased out. As a result of this change, Apple stands to lose nearly a year’s worth of sales on the more affordable iPhone. However, many customers may have already upgraded due to the demands of newer features that require a more advanced processor.
While these models will still be purchasable in other regions until their successors are launched, by the end of next year, the Lightning cable will officially become an obsolete charging method. This transition is advantageous for consumers, simplifying the charging process since all devices can use the same type of cable. Furthermore, the EU aims for all laptops to adopt similar charging cables, a shift that Apple has already initiated ahead of the 2026 deadline.
Utilizing a universal standard like USB-C enhances user experience and mitigates issues resulting from proprietary charging technologies. USB-C not only offers faster charging speeds than Lightning but also supports data transfer and allows for reversible plug orientation, making it user-friendly.
