Apple has ceased sales of the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, and 3rd-generation iPhone SE in 29 countries, including Northern Ireland, following EU directives on universal charging ports.
The move comes ahead of the EU’s Dec. 28, 2024, deadline requiring all new electronic devices to adopt USB-C connectors to reduce electronic waste.
On Apple’s U.K. website, customers attempting to purchase these models in Northern Ireland are met with a message citing compliance with EU Common Charger regulations.
This decision also affects Switzerland, which aligns with several EU policies, and Northern Ireland due to its distinct trade agreements with the EU post-Brexit.
The discontinuation of these models has left a gap in Apple’s affordable product lineup. The iPhone SE, previously priced at $429, was significantly cheaper than the now-entry-level iPhone 15, which starts at $699. While third-party resellers like Amazon in Spain and Germany still have limited stocks, these options are expected to deplete quickly.
A fourth-generation iPhone SE is rumoured to launch in March 2025, but reports suggest it won’t match the affordability of its predecessor. While the EU legislation has spurred this change, its global impact remains limited, as similar regulations in other regions are unlikely to materialize before the natural retirement of older iPhone models.
