Apple has halted the sale of the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, and 3rd-generation iPhone SE in 29 countries, including Northern Ireland, in compliance with EU regulations on universal charging ports.
This action precedes the European Union’s Dec. 28, 2024 deadline, which mandates all new electronic devices to adopt USB-C connectors in order to reduce electronic waste.
On Apple’s U.K. website, customers in Northern Ireland are notified that the models are unavailable due to adherence to EU Common Charger rules.
This decision also affects Switzerland, which follows several EU policies, and Northern Ireland due to its unique trade agreements post-Brexit.
The discontinuation leaves a void in Apple’s more affordable product range. The iPhone SE, priced at $429, was significantly cheaper than the current entry-level iPhone 15, which starts at $699. While third-party resellers like Amazon in Spain and Germany still have limited stocks, these are expected to run out soon.
Rumors suggest a fourth-generation iPhone SE may be released in March 2025, though it is expected to be less affordable than its predecessor. While the EU legislation is driving this change, its global impact is minimal for now, as similar regulations in other regions are unlikely before the natural phase-out of older iPhone models.
