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Other European iPhone users: will you still buy iPhones?
- Thread starter Sensamic
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Le_Chiffre
macrumors 6502
European user here, will still buy an iPhone. In fact I just bought two iPhone 17 pro max This month, one for me and one for my wife.
And I don’t think I’m the only European to do so I’m currently in Rome and everybody has an iPhone. Don’t see anybody with Android anymore.
Regarding the eu stance, I fully back Apple for privacy. If they can’t offer any of those features due to eu bureaucracy, then so be jt.
There really isn’t any other choice, innit. 😂
Le_Chiffre
macrumors 6502
Not just a pain but you lose your privacy.
There is a reason the iPhone continues its growth despite the market downturn, while the global smartphone market declines by 8%, iPhone sales are up 10% year-over-year.
Android is currently in decline, but when Android prices goes up this year, Android marketshare will crater 💥. Don’t be surprised if you seee some Android oems abandon the market this year ir go bankrupt.
sxkcb
macrumors newbie
I bought an iPhone 17 and usually keep my phones for at least 4 years, so I’m fine for the years to come. The only thing that I miss in the EU is iPhone mirroring, as I don’t give a **** about AI.
We will see what will happen by 2030.
I usually buy my phones new, so maybe if I feel like it won’t be worth it anymore, I’ll buy second hand or refurb…
We will see what will happen by 2030.
I usually buy my phones new, so maybe if I feel like it won’t be worth it anymore, I’ll buy second hand or refurb…
Reverend Benny
macrumors 68000
I so look forward to a serious Android and iOS alternative when it comes to mobile devices that do care about privacy.
And to say that "Let users choose themselfs" isn't what I think is the solution, most users don't have a clue about what they share and have a basic understanding about info or IT-security.
I hope EU work even harder in the future when it comes to protecting users. It's more important than it has ever been.
And to say that "Let users choose themselfs" isn't what I think is the solution, most users don't have a clue about what they share and have a basic understanding about info or IT-security.
I hope EU work even harder in the future when it comes to protecting users. It's more important than it has ever been.
Dirk Pieters
macrumors 6502a
Maybe it's just me but I'm a pretty passive iPhone user. It unlocks our car, it unlocks our garage door and apart from that my iPhone is just to reply to messages. I have about 20 3rd party apps installed. Most of these are used maybe once a month. If I wasn't in IT, I could probably delete 5 of those. None of the social media stuff.
Most of the features you talk about are so far fetched that I don't need them anyway. In fact, there's probably a serious amount of functionality in iOS that I never use.
Most of the features you talk about are so far fetched that I don't need them anyway. In fact, there's probably a serious amount of functionality in iOS that I never use.
Dirk Pieters
macrumors 6502a
Isn't that already the case with iPhone? Sure, you need tools to get the screen off etc but the rules state you should be able to do that without breaking things. From what I understood the iPhone is already compliant with that.
The rules don't say that the battery needs to be behind a door that can be opened with your thumbnail, etc.
Tried the Z Fold7 a couple of months ago, but I pretty quickly came back to Apple. Ecosystem just is better, apps are better, integrations are better etc... Missing basic features sucks, but somehow as a Finn I’ve gotten used to it 😀 Even Android Assistant never became available here. I hate when EU is putting it's fingers to technology, especially when they try to shittify Apple products.
Dirk Pieters
macrumors 6502a
Double so because EU is a government level no one asked for, imposing rules that no one voted or asked for.
kizuati
macrumors newbie
There are still clear benefits that DMA provides and Apple will bend the knee to the law sooner or later. So yeah,why not. I’m quite happy Apple gets reigned in. It’s frustrating to be held hostage by them, but GDPR & DMA are one of the very few genuinely universally amazing EU things.
Le_Chiffre
macrumors 6502
Doesn’t look like Apple is going to bend the knee at all in the EU. Nor do I think they are going to offer removable batteries, quite the opposite, Apple is going to remove the SIM card tray next, and perhaps the usb-c port with wifi 8, bluetooth 7 and UWB 3.😍
E-sim only and larger batteries ftw 💪
Silberbogen
macrumors member
That's strange. As far as I can remember, EU citizens last elected the European Parliament in a direct election between June 6 and 9, 2024.
See also 2024 European Parliament election.
Silberbogen
macrumors member
On February 18, 2027, a groundbreaking rule under the new EU Battery Regulation (specifically Article 11) will come into effect. It aims to counter planned obsolescence and massively reduce electronic waste.
Here is a quick summary of what this new legislation entails:
Which devices are affected?
The law is not just limited to mobile phones. It covers almost all portable, battery-powered consumer electronics:- Smartphones and tablets
- Laptops and notebooks
- Wearables (like smartwatches and fitness trackers)
- Wireless headphones (including in-ear/TWS earbuds)
- Portable gaming consoles
What exactly does the EU require?
- Easy replacement: Batteries must be removable and replaceable by the end-user at any time during the device's lifespan.
- Standard tools instead of heat: The use of industrial adhesives that require heat guns or chemical solvents to dissolve is banned. Disassembly must be possible using commercially available tools (like a standard screwdriver) or specialized tools provided by the manufacturer free of charge.
- Spare parts availability: Manufacturers are required to supply replacement batteries at a reasonable price for at least 5 years after the model has been discontinued.
Are there any exceptions?
Yes, the EU has carved out two primary exceptions, mainly for highly specialized or exceptionally durable tech:- Specialized and safety equipment: Medical devices (e.g., pacemakers) or specialized industrial tools where a manual battery swap could compromise safety or hygiene.
- The "Longevity Clause" (Ecodesign exemption): A device can still feature a glued-in battery if the battery is exceptionally durable. Specifically, it must retain at least 80% of its original capacity after 1,000 full charge cycles (or 83% after 800 cycles) and the device must meet at least IP67 water and dust resistance standards. Some premium manufacturers are already optimizing their hardware to meet this threshold so they can keep their slim designs.
What does this mean for design?
We won't necessarily go back to the bulky plastic phones with snap-on backs from the 2010s. Instead, manufacturers are looking into clever mechanical clips, rubber gaskets, and small internal screw systems. While devices might become a fraction of a millimeter thicker, they will still look modern and premium.
Starfia
macrumors 68000
Silberbogen –
Thank you for sharing the Wikipedia article. I've scanned it.
From what I can tell, the EU was in existence long before 2024, so the election in 2024 doesn't bear on the claim "the EU is a government level no one asked for." (It may be true that people asked for it, but your point doesn't appear to support that.)
The article supports that people voted for other people, but not for any particular rules.
Feel free to correct me.
1rottenapple
macrumors 603
EU regulations. Apple wants you to use AI because they can upsell people to apple services to that uses more data (upper tier iCloud subscriptions). That is the business case for apple's AI initiative. It's EU rules stopping them.
Silberbogen
macrumors member
Well, there is not a single country or confederation where the people approve all laws through direct voting.
Switzerland is the only country in the world that practices this extent of direct democracy. In other democracies, such as Germany, France, or the USA, popular votes on laws are either not provided for or are restricted to specific issues (e.g., referendums at the Swiss cantonal or municipal levels).
While Switzerland does have the optional referendum—which allows the people to vote on individual laws if 50,000 eligible citizens collect signatures within 100 days—this only applies to a portion of the enacted laws, not all of them. The majority of political decisions continue to be made by parliament.
Although the European Parliament is one of the two legislative bodies of the EU (alongside the Council of the EU) and must agree to laws, it does not pass them directly through referendums or individual citizen votes.
Legislation is a complex process involving national governments, the European Commission, and diplomatic negotiations.
While EU law significantly impacts daily life (e.g., consumer protection or environmental standards), democratic legitimacy is derived indirectly through the election of the representatives who then participate in lawmaking within the parliament.
one more
macrumors 603
IMO, it is not so dramatic, if you consider what features we are currently missing in Europe.
With Siri AI, for example, we are missing the dedicated chatbot app and the funky DI animation, yet the backend of it is exactly the same, as far as I can tell.
The other missing features are also quite minor to really disappoint most people, I guess.
With Siri AI, for example, we are missing the dedicated chatbot app and the funky DI animation, yet the backend of it is exactly the same, as far as I can tell.
The other missing features are also quite minor to really disappoint most people, I guess.
Le_Chiffre
macrumors 6502
I expect Apple to exploit this clause.
Bye bye nano sim in Europe for iPhone 18 series this year.
eSIM only iPhone with a bigger battery incoming. 😂
If the UK were still in the EU (seperate grumble) I think it would only bother me from a Beta testing POV. I make some money writing for an Apple blog and so having these things is important. The new Siri is brilliant from an Apple perspective, but doesn't do anything Gemini already did. In that respect I'd either run Gemini on an iPhone or (provided I can put up with inconsistant apps) run an Android.
But I can also see Apple's view. Siri has encrypted access to your iCloud data and the EU requires that AI be a level playing field. They don't want to grant encrypted access to ChatGPT or Claude or whatever because its a security risk somewhere along the line. But as many customers will point out: if you want a rival AI, buy a rival phone.
But I can also see Apple's view. Siri has encrypted access to your iCloud data and the EU requires that AI be a level playing field. They don't want to grant encrypted access to ChatGPT or Claude or whatever because its a security risk somewhere along the line. But as many customers will point out: if you want a rival AI, buy a rival phone.
Yes, definitely, because none of those features matter to me. What matters to me are the iPhone’s core features and its overall usability. The latter was admittedly made worse by Liquid Glass, but hopefully that will be improved in future versions.
Search for the term “EU Gatekeeper”. It’s the regulation that says certain rules apply ONLY if you’re successful in the region at providing a good/service that the citizens REALLY like. As long as what they make is NOT what people there want in a large way, they can follow the same rules.
Apple and other gatekeepers are incentivized to keep certain features OUT of the EU and Samsung is incentivized to NOT get too successful.
Bill21
macrumors member
The way things appear to be going in the UK is that the Government will want to be able to access all your data at some point. They are using child protection as the reason for this but very few people are naive enough to believe this.
I have Apple Watch, iPhone, iPad and a couple of Macs. I really don’t want to buy a different phone but if it becomes necessary to protect my privacy then yes, I’ll switch.
I’m currently intrigued by Meshtastic (and Meshcore) at the moment but that’s another story. I haven’t dipped my toes into that yet.
I have Apple Watch, iPhone, iPad and a couple of Macs. I really don’t want to buy a different phone but if it becomes necessary to protect my privacy then yes, I’ll switch.
I’m currently intrigued by Meshtastic (and Meshcore) at the moment but that’s another story. I haven’t dipped my toes into that yet.
thistleknife
macrumors member
Google has decided to just break the rules and see if it works out for them. There are strong indications this isn't going to work out for them--they aren't immune to this situation.