Goodbye Lightning iPhones: Apple is pulling the plug on the older iPhone model series earlier than usual at the end of the year, according to a report. In the European Union, according to information from igen.fr, the manufacturer will soon remove the iPhone 14, 14 Plus and iPhone SE from its online stores and physical stores. The three model variants are the last iPhones with a Lightning connector that Apple currently sells as new. The company has not yet confirmed the move.
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After the introduction of a new generation of iPhone, Apple usually continues to introduce the previous model for two years. iPhone 14 sales are expected to continue outside the EU until September 2025.
USB-C as the new, old charging standard
From December 28, 2024, USB Type-C will be a uniform charging standard for smartphones and other electronic devices in Germany and other EU member states. Apple insisted on a Lightning connector for the iPhone for a long time and tried to torpedo the EU directive. The fight against USB-C was looking increasingly absurd, as MacBooks switched completely to USB-C in 2016 – to the annoyance of many customers, who had to deal with multiple adapters as a result. In 2018, Apple also began replacing the Lightning port on iPads with USB-C.
For the iPhone, this should take another five years: USB-C has only been installed since the iPhone 15 series, which was introduced in autumn 2023. Apple announced shortly after the iPhone 14 debut that they would “naturally” comply with the EU requirement for uniform charging sockets. But it would be better if governments did not “set” technical standards. Apple argued that this change would ultimately increase rather than reduce e-waste.
Apart from the iPhone 14, 14 Plus and SE, Lightning has now practically disappeared from Apple, and its own peripherals have also recently started using USB-C. For many years, iPhones can be charged inductively via Qi/Qi2 and MagSafe.
iPhone SE 4 possibly coming in spring 2025
The successor to the iPhone SE is already on the horizon: the iPhone SE 4 is expected to be introduced in spring 2025. According to rumors, the new entry-level model marks Apple’s move to be significantly more modern, with the housing design likely to be based on the iPhone 14, only with USB-C, a new chip, and more RAM to support AI functions. Of Apple Intelligence. The iPhone SE 3, which Apple is currently offering unchanged at a price of more than 500 euros, is reminiscent of the iPhone 6 introduced in 2014 with its home button and 4.7″ display.
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