Effective immediately, the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, and third-generation iPhone SE have been completely removed from the online stores of Apple across EU nations. This decision comes in response to a new regulation, making it mandatory for all smartphones sold in the EU must feature a USB-C port for wired charging.
These three iPhone models are now no longer available on online platforms of Apple in countries such as Belgium, Finland, Austria, France, Ireland, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden, the Netherlands, and several others within the EU.
In addition to this, they have been taken off the shelves in a few other nations that are part of the single market of the EU including Switzerland. The regulation will be effective on December 28, applying to any iPhone that will be sold after that regardless of its model year.
While the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 series come with USB-C ports, the use of the older lightning ports is still visible in devices like the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, and the current iPhone SE.
The UK made its exit from the EU in 2020 hence, it is not subject to this new rule. Nevertheless, Northern Ireland remains affected as it continues to be a part of the EU’s single market.
Apple started the process of phasing out these iPhone models from the EU market last week, with a few more countries still pending the removal. Availability in physical Apple stores and through authorized sellers might vary in the upcoming days as existing stock is sold off.
Overall, the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, and iPhone SE cannot be purchased from Apple in the European Union. Looking ahead it is expected to unveil a fourth-generation iPhone SE featuring a USB-C port in March, which might make its way back to the Europen Union market at full tilt.
