In a significant move ahead of the new regulations set to take effect on December 28th, Apple has begun the process of pulling its iPhone SE, iPhone 14, and iPhone 14 Plus from its online store in Switzerland. Starting next week, all new mobile phones sold in the European Union will be required to feature a USB-C charging port instead of Apple's traditional Lightning connector.

The initial reports of this removal surfaced from MacRumors, following a story from the French publication iGeneration. Confirming these developments, The Verge found that shoppers attempting to add any configuration of the iPhone SE, iPhone 14, or iPhone 14 Plus to their carts on the Swiss Apple Store were greeted with a message stating that these models are "currently unavailable." Interestingly, other online stores in EU countries such as France and Spain still list these phones as available for purchase, suggesting Apple may be rolling out its strategy in phases.

The timing of pulling these models from the Swiss store, a full week ahead of the regulation deadline, raises questions. Why is Switzerland being targeted first, and will other EU countries follow suit shortly? As of now, Apple has not provided any explanations for the premature removal.

This regulatory shift is also the reason behind Apple’s transition to USB-C for the recently launched iPhone 15. Looking ahead, a fourth-generation iPhone SE is rumored to be in the works for early 2025, which is expected to incorporate USB-C along with other enhancements like an OLED display.

As consumers anticipate further developments in this story, one thing is clear: Apple is navigating a critical juncture in its device offerings amid evolving international standards. Stay tuned for more updates!