Apple stops iPhone sales over USB-C mandate

Apple has halted the sales of three iPhone models—iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, and iPhone SE 3rd Generation—in multiple European Union (EU) countries. These models have been removed from Apple’s online store and are no longer available in offline stores either. The decision comes in response to an EU regulation banning devices with Lightning connectors.

In 2022, the EU mandated that all phones and certain other gadgets sold in its 27 member countries must feature USB-C ports to reduce electronic waste. While Apple initially challenged this rule, it eventually complied. Since the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, and iPhone SE 3rd Generation lack USB-C ports, their sales have been discontinued in compliance with the regulation.

Apple has been clearing out its existing stock since last week, removing these models from stores in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, and other EU nations. Switzerland, though not part of the EU, has also banned these models due to similar regulations, as has Northern Ireland.

Speculations suggest that Apple might launch the iPhone SE 4th Generation with a USB-C port by March next year, allowing the company to reintroduce this series in the European market soon.