That’s it, it’s over… Port Lightning is living its last moments in France. After years of fierce struggle, the European Union has won its case: everyone must comply with USB-C. Yes, everyone. Even Apple. As part of the DMA (Digital Markets Act)
In this sense, the Cupertino company has dropped the Lightning port since the release of its iPhone 15 in 2023. As of this Saturday, December 28, 2024, a decree will come into force in France, signing the death warrant for devices that are not not equipped with a USB type C port. And beware of those who want to resist!
With the implementation of a universal charger for essential harmonization for consumers, Apple seems to be in a bad position. Indeed, the firm took time to “surrender”.
If the Lightning port is on the verge of extinction, what will happen to the iPhone 14 (and others) still on sale from December 28, 2024? Despite the entry into force of the decree, the iPhone 14 and the iPhone SE will not disappear from the shelves. At least, not right away.
The iPhone 14 will still be on sale, on one condition…
It is the ANFR (National Frequency Agency) which will be responsible for enforcing the decree and the ban on the sale of devices not equipped with a USB type C port.
She explains that distributors will have the possibility of reselling an iPhone 14 provided that it was acquired before the fateful date, or that it was imported into the territory of the European Union previously.
Consequently, resellers and Apple itself will be able to sell their stocks in Europe. But once that is done, goodbye to the iPhone 14. Let us point out that with six years of updates, the latter should work correctly until 2028. There is therefore a chance of seeing the price of the iPhone 14 sacrificed in the coming weeks.
This ban does not only concern new products but also reconditioned devices. The problem is that currently, two thirds of refurbished smartphones circulating on the European market come from the United States or Asia. However, Back Market, a key player in the reconditioned market, “welcomes” this big change. It seems that proving fraud will be complex and laborious for the ANFR.
So, new or refurbished, the iPhone 14 is not yet completely dead despite the end of the Lightning port and the arrival of a universal charger. But the end is near…
