Apple Discontinues iPhone SE and iPhone 14 with Lightning Port

In new reports surfacing online, Apple has discontinued it’s some of the iPhone models, a move that’s not entirely surprising as the company has a history of shutting off older models with the new launches. However, this time it is different and the reason behind this is the discontinuation of the mandatory use of USB Type-C in the European Union (EU).

As of December 28, USB-C has become the mandatory standard charging port for all electronic devices in the EU. The shift from lightning port to USB-C has been made keeping consumers in mind, eliminating the need for multiple chargers across different devices. People will not need to buy different types of chargers for tablets, laptops, smartwatches, and smartphones.

Keeping this in mind, the tech giant has discontinued two of its iPhones including iPhone 14 and iPhone SE 3. The company has discontinued the sale of iPhone 14 and iPhone SE 3 models with Lightning ports in the European Union (EU). Now these devices are the last remnants of the lightning port era, making a significant shift towards one charger i.e. USB-C technology.

Today’s the day! USB-C is officially the common standard for electronic devices in the EU! It means:

🔌The same charger for all new phones, tablets & cameras
⚡ Harmonised fast-charging
🔄 Reduced e-waste
🛑 No more “Sorry, I don’t have that cable”

One charger to rule them all. pic.twitter.com/NBWnl2E4i1

— European Commission in Cyprus (@EUCYPRUS) December 28, 2024

As of now, all the iPhones from the iPhone 15 series come equipped with USB-C ports, aligning with the EU’s mandate for a standardized charging port. However, the company still sells Harmonizedfew devices with lightning ports including older iPhones, smartwatches, and Macbooks.

It’s likely that Apple will gradually phase out all the older devices with lightning ports and this transition is expected to streamline the company’s product lineup making them more cohesive and environment friendly. However, devices with lightning ports are discontinued in the EU but are still available in the US, India, and China. It is expected that the company will shut off these devices gradually in the coming months.

Interestingly, a leaked report suggests that Apple is planning to launch a new iPhone SE model with a USB Type-C port in early 2025. This development could potentially lead to the discontinuation of existing iPhone SE models with Lightning ports.