It's actually a USB-C world and we're simply dwelling in it. Apple has not solely introduced the brand new iPhone 16e with a USB-C port and likewise discontinued the iPhone 14, the ultimate Lightning port relic. That's proper, Apple is not promoting any units with a Lightning port, the true finish of an period.
As soon as upon a time, the Lightning port was the brand new man on the town. Apple first launched it in 2012 as a substitute to the cumbersome 30-pin dock connector.
The Lightning port didn't go down with no battle, although. Whereas most different corporations have been on the USB-C practice for a while, Apple solely swapped out the Lightning port when the EU pressured its hand. In 2022, the EU introduced that every one new cellular units — so telephones, tablets and earbuds — needed to include a USB-C charging port. The bloc set the top of 2024 as a deadline, however Apple began the shift with its iPhone 15, launched in September 2023. Laptops have till Spring 2026 to conform, however Apple has already shifted its MacBooks to USB-C chargers.
One other Apple expertise relic, the venerable Residence Button, has additionally been discontinued as of at present. The previous iPhone SE was the final gadget in Apple's lineup to function it — actually a day the place some traditional Apple interfaces are going away ceaselessly.
This text initially appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cellular/apple-officially-bids-farewell-to-the-lightning-port-after-13-years-163402113.html?src=rss
