Apple has pulled three of its iPhone models—the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, and the iPhone SE (3rd generation)—from sale in 29 countries, including a region in the U.K. This decision stems from the enforcement of a new European Union directive aimed at reducing electronic waste.
Effective Saturday, December 28, 2024, the EU mandates that all portable electronic devices, including smartphones, tablets, and cameras, must adopt a universal charging standard: USB-C. The rule ensures consumers only need one type of cable across multiple devices, reducing the environmental impact of discarded electronic accessories.
Apple initially opposed the mandate, arguing it might hinder innovation. However, the company has since complied, transitioning its devices to USB-C. Starting with the iPhone 15 lineup, all new iPhones feature the universal connector. Other Apple products, including iPads, AirPods, Magic Mouse, and Magic Keyboard, have also adopted USB-C.
As a result, older models with the Lightning connector—the iPhone 14, 14 Plus, and SE—needed to be removed from sale in EU member states by the directive’s deadline. On Friday, December 27, Apple updated its websites across the EU, showcasing only USB-C-enabled devices such as the iPhone 15, iPhone 16 series, and related accessories.
This move raises questions about whether Apple will discontinue Lightning-supported devices in non-EU markets or continue selling them elsewhere. For now, customers in affected regions can no longer purchase these older models directly from Apple.
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