Apple pulls remaining Lightning-based units from European shops

Apple is now not promoting its iPhone SE and iPhone 14 sequence in Europe — the final cellphone fashions with Apple’s proprietary Lightning charging port — because the EU shifts to a standard charging answer constructed round USB-C. EU Directive 2022/2380 goes into power right now in an effort to cut back e-waste and remedy market fragmentation.

A spot examine by The Verge exhibits the iPhone SE, iPhone 14 and 14 Plus, and the Lightning-based Magic Keyboard have been pulled from Apple’s on-line shops in The Netherlands, France, Norway, and Germany. Those self same units are nonetheless on the market within the US and different nations exterior the EEA’s 30 member states. A brand new iPhone SE with USB-C and different upgrades like an OLED show is rumored for 2025.

Along with requiring a USB-C port on a variety of units offered within the EU from December twenty eighth, 2024, the Directive additionally requires units that help quick charging to help the USB PD normal, permits for the unbundling of charging bricks from retail units, and helps shoppers to raised perceive the ability necessities of the units they’re shopping for by improved labeling.