Tech giant Apple has officially bid farewell to its Lightning port, marking the end of an era in its mobile devices. With the introduction of the new budget-friendly iPhone 16e, the company has discontinued the iPhone 14 and iPhone SE 3. As a result, Apple’s last devices featuring the Lightning connector have now been removed from the market.
The Lightning port was first introduced in 2012 as a replacement for the older 30-pin connector. Designed to be more compact and user-friendly, it remained a core feature of Apple devices for 13 years. However, as USB-C became the industry standard, the Lightning era has come to an end.
Apple Was Forced to Switch to USB-C
While most Android manufacturers switched to USB-C years ago, Apple was reluctant to abandon its proprietary Lightning technology. However, a regulatory decision by the European Union in 2022 forced Apple to comply with a universal charging standard. The new regulation, which took effect in early 2024, mandated that all mobile devices use USB-C for charging and connectivity. Consequently, Apple had to phase out Lightning-based devices from the European market.
Apple’s transition to USB-C began in September 2023 with the release of the iPhone 15 series. Following that, the company also adapted headphones, keyboards, and mice to be USB-C compatible. The final step came with the introduction of the iPhone 16e, officially closing the chapter on Lightning technology.
This shift brings several benefits for users. USB-C enables faster data transfer, broader accessory compatibility, and a more convenient single-cable charging solution. By embracing this universal standard, Apple aims to enhance user experience and ecosystem compatibility on a larger scale.