Apple has taken a huge step to comply with the new common charging standard within the territory of the European Union, which comes into effect today.
Therefore, the company will stop selling the last contained Lightning devices in Europe-the last Apple phones. These are the iPhone SE and the entire iPhone 14 series. The EU now moves to the common charging solution USB-C with regard to the reduction of electronic waste and fragmentation of the market.
A spot check conducted by The Verge found that the iPhone SE, iPhone 14, and 14 Plus Lightning-based Magic Keyboard have been withdrawn from stores across the Netherlands, France, and Germany. However, these devices are still available for purchase in the United States and other countries outside the EU’s 27 member states.
Rumors suggest that a new iPhone SE, featuring USB-C and an OLED display, may launch in 2025.
Beyond the requirement for USB-C ports on a wide range of devices sold in the EU starting December 28, 2024, the directive also mandates that devices supporting fast charging must comply with the USB Power Delivery (USB PD) standard. It encourages separating charging bricks from retail packages and aims to improve labeling, helping consumers better understand the power requirements of the devices they purchase.
