Apple pulls iPhone 7 and iPhone 8 from sale in Germany as part of sales ban

Apple has withdrawn the iPhone 7 and iPhone 8 from sale from its online store and retail outlets in Germany, one day after Qualcomm posted its $1.52 billion security bond required by a Munich court to enforce the countrywide ban.

Customers in Germany accessing the online Apple Store are no longer able to see the iPhone 7 and iPhone 8 as an available-to-purchase model, with only the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR as the only options available. Previously, both the iPhone 8 and iPhone 7 were listed alongside the 2018 models, and are still available in other EU markets.

Attempts to access the sales pages of both the iPhone 7 and iPhone 8 bounce users to the main German regional front page, showing the option has definitively been removed from that specific store.

The removals follow Qualcomm's posting of a 1.34 billion euro ($1.52 billion) bond, one mandated as part of a ruling by the court in late December, deciding the iPhones infringed on Qualcomm's patents relating to power saving. Apple was ordered to stop sales and imports of any infringing hardware, and to recall units from third-party vendors.

The iPhone menu from the online Apple Store in France (top) and Germany (bottom)

A statement on the matter supplied to AppleInsider by Apple claims "Qualcomm's campaign is a desperate attempt to distract from the real issues between our companies. Their tactics, in the courts and in their everyday business, are harming innovation and harming consumers."

Apple goes on to claim Qualcomm "insists on charging exorbitant fees based on work they didn't do," and points out the investigations by various governments into the activities.

"We are of course disappointed by this verdict and we plan to appeal," said Apple.

While all iPhone models are still available through carriers and resellers in Germany, Apple advised it would not be selling the iPhone 7 or iPhone 8 in its 15 retail outlets in the country, and that the current generation models will remain available to buy.

The German iPhone ban is one of a number of recent events in Apple's ongoing legal battles with Qualcomm, primarily over patent licensing and infringement. In China, critics are attacking the company for seemingly flouting another court order banning the import and sale of some iPhone models.

The two companies are also expected to head to court in the United States in April over some elements of the dispute.