Apple has removed the iPhone 7 and iPhone 8 from its online store and retail locations in Germany, a day after Qualcomm posted the $1.52 billion security bond required by a Munich court to enforce the nationwide ban.
Customers in Germany who access the Apple Store online are no longer able to view the iPhone 7 and iPhone 8 as available models; the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR are the only available options. Previously, the iPhone 8 and iPhone 7 were listed alongside the 2018 models and continue to be available in other EU markets.
Users attempting to access the sales pages for the iPhone 7 and iPhone 8 are redirected to the regional homepage for Germany, indicating that the option has been definitively removed from that store.
The removals followed Qualcomm’s posting of a 1.34 billion euro ($1.52 billion) bond, which was mandated by the court’s late-December ruling that the iPhones violated Qualcomm’s power-saving patents. Apple was ordered to cease sales and imports of infringing hardware and recall units from third-party suppliers.
According to a statement provided to AppleInsider by Apple, “Qualcomm’s campaign is a desperate attempt to divert attention away from the true issues between our companies. Their tactics in the courts and their day-to-day operations are detrimental to innovation and consumers.”
Apple continues by claiming Qualcomm “insists on charging exorbitant fees for work they did not perform” and pointing out the government investigations into the activities.
Apple stated, “We are disappointed by this verdict and intend to appeal.”
While all iPhone models are still available through carriers and resellers in Germany, Apple has announced that it will no longer sell the iPhone 7 and iPhone 8 in its 15 retail stores in the country. All other iPhone models will remain available for purchase.
The iPhone ban in Germany is one of several recent developments in Apple’s ongoing legal battles with Qualcomm, which are primarily over patent licensing and infringement. In China, critics are attacking the company for allegedly disregarding a court order prohibiting the import and sale of certain iPhone models.
In April, the two companies are expected to appear in court in the United States over certain aspects of the dispute.
