Lightning — власний роз'єм Apple, який використовується у портативній техніці компанії з 2012 року / Depositphotos
Starting today, Apple is pulling the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, and iPhone SE 3 from its online store in most EU countries due to a new law requiring devices to have a USB-C port, reports Macrumors.
The regulation takes effect on December 28 and applies to any smartphone that goes on sale and does not have a USB-C port for wired charging. Remember, Apple ditched the Lightning port starting with the iPhone 15 series and later models, while the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, and the current iPhone SE are still equipped with it.
The law does not affect the UK, which left the EU in 2020 — but the regulation does impact Northern Ireland, which is still part of the EU single market.
Apple is expected to announce the fourth-generation iPhone SE with a USB-C port in March, so the company’s “budget” device will be available in the EU, but in a single version.
The introduction of a “common charger” is an EU attempt to reduce the amount of electronic waste and make life easier for consumers. In the future, it’s expected that smartphones and other devices will be sold without chargers, as consumers will already have the necessary accessories. According to EU estimates, this law will help consumers save €250 million a year on “unnecessary purchases of chargers” and reduce the amount of electronic waste by 11,000 tons per year.
Let’s remember that the new EU legislation also stipulates that by spring 2026, the rules for a single charger will extend to laptops as well.