This action comes just a week before a new EU regulation mandates USB-C.
Beginning December 28th, all new smartphones sold in the European Union will be required to feature USB-C ports. Although that deadline is approaching, Apple has already begun to take the iPhone SE, iPhone 14, and iPhone 14 Plus — the last models equipped with Apple’s exclusive lightning port — off its Swiss online store.
MacRumors first reported this change, referencing a story from the French outlet iGeneration earlier this month. The Verge has confirmed that if you attempt to add any version of the iPhone SE, iPhone 14, or iPhone 14 Plus to your cart on the Swiss Apple Store, it will indicate that these models are “currently unavailable.”However, other Apple online stores in EU nations like France and Spain still have these phones available for purchase. With the December 28th deadline approaching, it’s likely that Apple will soon make similar changes in its other EU stores.
It remains uncertain why the company chose to remove stock from Switzerland a week early or if it plans to do the same in other countries. We have reached out to Apple for clarification but have not yet received a reply. This EU regulation is also the reason Apple transitioned to USB-C for the iPhone 15 in 2023. As for the iPhone SE, there are rumors of a fourth-generation model expected in early 2025, featuring USB-C and enhancements like an OLED display.
