Apple has given the iPhone its first major redesign since the introduction of the iPhone X, with the iPhone 12 sporting a new flat-sided look, which includes one lesser-known design tweak – the relocation of the EU’s regulatory CE markings.
Hidden away in the Apple Store app, Apple has confirmed that on the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro, the regulatory CE certification markings, previously located on the back of devices sold in Europe, has been moved to the bottom of the iPhone’s stainless steel side, as spotted by Jesper van Haaren on Twitter.
Similar to devices requiring FCC approval in the United States, manufacturers selling in Europe are required to undergo testing for all products sold within the European Economic Area, with the CE engraving confirming that the device complies with set health, safety, and environmental protection standards.
Apple has clearly set out to keep the engravings hidden from its marketing imagery online, with the only reference to the repositioned symbols found on the MagSafe section of the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro’s page on the Apple Store app.