Apple is set to discontinue the iPhone SE (3rd generation) and iPhone 14 series by the end of 2024 due to new European Union regulations requiring a universal charging connector. These models, which currently use Apple’s proprietary Lightning port, are in violation of the EU’s new policy, which mandates the use of USB-C ports on all smartphones sold within the region starting in January 2025. As a result, Apple will stop selling these models in the EU ahead of the deadline.
Rather than updating these devices with USB-C ports, Apple has opted to discontinue the iPhone SE and iPhone 14 series earlier than originally planned. This decision aligns with the company’s response to the EU’s new regulations, which impact phones still being sold by Apple that use the outdated Lightning port. The change signifies a move towards standardizing charging connectors across devices in the EU.
While this might seem like a significant loss, it is not expected to have a major impact on Apple’s overall product lineup. In 2025, Apple is scheduled to release a new fourth-generation iPhone SE, which will feature a USB-C port. This updated iPhone SE is anticipated to resemble the iPhone 14 in terms of design, featuring an edge-to-edge screen, enhanced camera capabilities, and, of course, the new USB-C charging port.
Typically, the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus would have remained on sale in the EU until the release of the iPhone 17 in 2024, with the 14 series eventually being phased out. However, due to the new EU regulations, Apple will miss out on approximately a year of sales for these models. This move also marks a significant shift in the company’s approach to product sales in Europe.
Beyond the European Union, Apple plans to continue selling the iPhone SE and iPhone 14 series until 2025 in other regions. Once the iPhone SE’s successor and the new iPhone 14 successor models are introduced, the era of Apple devices with Lightning ports will officially come to an end, signaling a broader transition towards USB-C as the industry standard for charging and data transfer.
