Apple has withdrawn sales of devices with Lightning ports from its European stores due to the European Union’s (EU) new regulation requiring the USB-C charging standard. This decision covers iPhone SE (3rd generation), iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus and Lightning-based accessories. The regulation aims to reduce electronic waste and provide consumers with a more compatible charging experience. Checks on Apple’s online stores reveal that these devices are no longer accessible in many European countries such as Germany, France, the Netherlands and Norway.
Directive 2022/2380, adopted by the EU in 2022 and entered into force today, aims to end the fragmented structure in the market by standardizing the USB-C input. Within the scope of this regulation, as of December 2024, all smartphones and electronic devices sold within the EU must have a USB-C port. The fact that products with Lightning ports did not comply with new legal regulations forced Apple to withdraw these models from the European market. Thus, both environmentally friendly and less complicated usage is aimed for consumers.
Apple introduced in 2023 to comply with new regulations. iPhone 15 It switched to USB-C input in its series. Despite this, the fact that old models continued to remain on the market was incompatible with EU regulations. The devices, which are currently removed from sale in Europe, continue to be on sale in countries outside the USA and the European Economic Area (EEA). This shows that Apple is turning to different applications for certain regions in its global market strategy.
Changing charging standards in Europe offer solutions to new problems
The innovations brought by the regulation are not limited to the USB-C obligation. Devices that offer fast charging support must now support the USB Power Delivery (USB PD) standard. In addition, the obligation to sell chargers together with the devices is removed, giving consumers the freedom to choose their own charging solutions. While this approach aims to reduce the amount of electronic waste, it also includes new labeling regulations that will enable users to better understand the power requirements of the devices they purchase.
However, it is rumored that Apple is working on a new iPhone SE model with USB-C connection and that this model may be released in 2025. This device is expected to include new features such as an OLED screen, while completely abandoning the Lightning connection. These changes point to a more sustainable approach in terms of both device performance and the environment.