Apple has removed the third-generation iPhone SE, iPhone 14, and iPhone 14 Plus from its online store in Switzerland, responding to an upcoming regulation requiring all smartphones with wired charging to feature a USB-C port.
Why Is Apple Pulling These Devices?
While Switzerland is not part of the European Union (EU), it participates in the single EU market and follows EU trade laws. The new regulation, set to take effect on December 28, mandates USB-C compatibility for any smartphone placed for sale within the EU. The iPhone SE (3rd generation) and iPhone 14 series still use Lightning ports, which do not meet the new requirement. To preemptively align with the regulation, Apple stopped online sales of the affected models in Switzerland ahead of the EU deadline.EU-Wide Sales Halt Expected
French website iGeneration previously reported that Apple would cease sales of these models across the EU starting December 28. This move is now likely following Apple’s actions in Switzerland.Apple’s retail stores in Switzerland will reportedly continue selling these models until December 28, with Apple Authorized Resellers in the EU able to sell remaining stock until inventory is depleted.
What’s Next for the iPhone SE?
Apple is expected to launch a fourth-generation iPhone SE with a USB-C port as early as March 2024, allowing the device to quickly return to the EU market.The iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus, on the other hand, were already nearing the end of their lifecycle and likely would have been discontinued later in 2024. The USB-C regulation has simply accelerated this timeline.
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Credits: This article references reporting by MacRumors and iGeneration.
