With Apple’s recent iPhone 16 event and M4 Macs release, the company followed an important path by eliminating the Lightning port from more devices. By opting for USB-C, not only is the company agreeing with the European Union’s Digital Markets Act, but it’s also showing a future where customers will be able to use the same cable for all their electronic devices.
That said, there are still some products that require a Lightning port and a few accessories that support this old standard. Here they are.
Apple still sells four iPhone models with Lightning port
Image source: Apple Inc.
Although the iPhone 16 series offers a USB-C port, Apple still has three other iPhone models that still rely on Lightning cables. The 2022 iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus, and the 2022 iPhone SE 3.
While Apple is said to be planning a new iPhone SE 4 for 2025, this means the company will take another year to fully eliminate the Lightning port from all the iPhone models it sells. That means that only when the iPhone 17 is announced will we have a full lineup of USB-C phones.
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Not only is there still a long way to go, but millions of customers will hold with their iPhone 14 – or older models – for years to come.
All iPad models sold by Apple are USB-C, but the first-gen Apple Pencil is still here
Apple iPad 9 with keyboard accessory. Image source: Apple Inc.
The 2021 iPad 9 was the last iPad model with a Lightning port. Earlier this year, Apple discontinued this product and lowered the price of the USB-C iPad 10.
While both iPads work with the first-gen Apple Pencil, Apple also released a USB-C accessory that’s perfect for the iPad 10. However, millions of people with a Lightning iPad still require that first-gen Apple Pencil, which is why the company still sells it.
There are other accessories Lightning-compatible still available
Image source: José Adorno for BGR
Apple recently revamped the AirPods lineup. With no more second and third generations available, the company also updated the AirPods Max with a USB-C port. With that, there are only a few Lightning accessories, which include:
- Lightning EarPods
- USB-C to Lightning cable
- USB-A to Lightning cable
Wrap up
As you can see, in a year, Apple almost killed all the Lightning products it used to have. By 2025, we’ll likely only have those three accessories available alongside the first-gen Apple Pencil, as the company will continue to offer them for older devices.
