All the Hardware Apple Still Sells With a Lightning Port

[MacRumors]

Apple introduced the Lightning port in September 2012 with the launch of the iPhone 5. The connector was a significant change from the previous 30-pin connector used in Apple devices, offering a smaller, more efficient connection that could be inserted either way up, enhancing ease of use.

In September 2023, over a decade later, Apple caught up with the rest of the industry and removed the Lightning port from its flagship iPhone 15 series, replacing it with USB-C, the widely adopted standard used in electronics for connectivity and charging.

And yet the Lightning port lives on in a variety of hardware still sold by Apple. We've compiled this list of Lightning products in one place so you won't be surprised when your USB-C to USB-C cables don't fit your new purchase.

iPhone SE (2022)

Apple introduced the third-generation iPhone SE in March 2022. The $429 iPhone comes with an A15 Bionic chip, 5G connectivity, and Touch ID for those who prefer a Home button. And a Lightning port.

iPhone 13

In 2021, Apple unveiled the ‌iPhone 13‌ as the successor to the popular ‌iPhone‌ 12, with improved rear cameras, longer battery life, the A15 Bionic chip, and more. It starts at $599, Lightning port included.

iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus

The iPhone 14 now sits in the middle of Apple's iPhone lineup below the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro, but above the iPhone SE and iPhone 13. The iPhone 13 starts at $599, and is still highly capable for everyday use, if you love Lightning ports. The ‌iPhone 14‌ and ‌iPhone 14‌ Plus are priced at $699 and $799, respectively.

iPad (9th generation)

A lower-priced alternative to the latest 10th-generation iPad, the ninth-generation iPad has remained on sale since September 2021 and goes for $329 - $120 less than its successor. This device sports the A13 Bionic chip and an older design with a smaller display, but the Lightning port is the same size.

AirPods Max

Introduced in December 2020, the AirPods Max have now been in Apple's product lineup for three years. Apple is expected to replace the Lightning port for USB-C to comply with European regulations and for consistency across its AirPods lineup, but not until late 2024. Staying retro until then, but in a high-tech way.

Apple Pencil (1st generation)

There are three versions of the Apple Pencil that Apple still sells. This first version was released in 2015, the second version was released in 2018, and the third version was released in 2023. The first-generation has a Lightning adapter and charges by plugging into a lightning port on either an iPad or a charging adapter, the second-generation Apple Pencil charges wirelessly, but the latest Apple Pencil has a futuristic USB-C port.

Magic Keyboard

The Magic Keyboard is sold in several variations by Apple, and all with a Lightning port for charging and connectivity. Even the newly announced M3 iMac is still accompanied by a Magic Keyboard with a Lightning port for pairing and charging, rather than USB-C as rumored.

Magic Mouse

The only mouse that insists on doing a backflip to recharge. It's almost a joke, but the $99 Magic Mouse still retains the clownish Lightning port on the underside. It's pretty amazing Apple still has this thing around, and is even prepared to ship new iMacs with one.

Magic Trackpad

Surprisingly, a Magic Trackpad with USB-C is still a fantasy. Technically, you could always buy a MacBook, but that works out pricier.

Cables and Adapters

Apple also sells a variety of cables and adapters that feature Lightning connections and ports, so keep an eye out if you're shopping Apple's accessories for your legacy devices.

Article Link: All the Hardware Apple Still Sells With a Lightning Port

 

[truthsteve]

here is an idea, just stop buying lightning devices instead of whining about it.

 

[the 12th Doctor]

I'm just glad Apple is taking the right steps in cutting down eWaste like when the removed the brick. Thank god.

*Looks at the 7 lightning cables that are now useless*

"Oh those? Let me just sweep these under this rug here...annnddd there. eWaste cleared."

 

[Rychiar]

here is an idea, just stop buying lightning devices instead of whining about it.

The mouse is kinda necessary

 

[jz0309]

Those products that will get updated or refreshed will go to USBC, the other products will get discontinued…
No big deal, it’s not that most Apple users can’t use their products anymore…

 

[gglockner]

Isn't the Apple TV remote still Lightning?

 

[Shin-Ra]

You’d think Apple would’ve taken the soonest opportunity to change the awkward, frankly ridiculous Magic Mouse design.

 

[zorinlynx]

I'm just glad Apple is taking the right steps in cutting down eWaste like when the removed the brick. Thank god.

*Looks at the 7 lightning cables that are now useless*

"Oh those? Let me just sweep these under this rug here...annnddd there. eWaste cleared."

We had to change over at some point. If anything Apple should have done it sooner, and more quickly.

iPhones and accessories should have moved over to USB-C at the same time the iPad did in 2018. But noooo, they waited for some reason, and as a result we had five more years of lightning accessories and cables being sold.

 

[kiranmk2]

Interesting to see what happens with the iPhone 14 range as that won't filter out of the lineup before the EU law comes into force. I wonder if the rumours of an iPhone SE using the iPhone 14 shell are just a version of the iPhone with USB-C to comply with the EU law.

 

[augustrushrox]

Lightning is a better design than USB-C.

 

[zorinlynx]

Interesting to see what happens with the iPhone 14 range as that won't filter out of the lineup before the EU law comes into force. I wonder if the rumours of an iPhone SE using the iPhone 14 shell are just a version of the iPhone with USB-C to comply with the EU law.

They could just stop selling the 14 in the EU on that date. Or they could get a variance so they can clear out the remaining stock.

 

[EmotionalSnow]

Isn't the Apple TV remote still Lightning?

Not since Oct of 2022.

 

[zorinlynx]

Lightning is a better design than USB-C.

No, it's not. Lightning does not have enough pins to support higher speeds. The only way to resolve that would be to come up with a "Lightning 2" and at that point, why not just move to the industry standard?

 

[EmotionalSnow]

They could just stop selling the 14 in the EU on that date. Or they could get a variance so they can clear out the remaining stock.

They don't have to stop selling anything. The regulation does not apply to devices that are already on the market.

 

[mnsportsgeek]

Interesting to see what happens with the iPhone 14 range as that won't filter out of the lineup before the EU law comes into force. I wonder if the rumours of an iPhone SE using the iPhone 14 shell are just a version of the iPhone with USB-C to comply with the EU law.

I think they'll just stop selling the old phones in the EU. iPhone SE 4, iPhone 15, and iPhone 16 will be all that's available.

 

[JPack]

Article feels way too early.

Apple and other manufacturers can continue selling existing non-USB-C products forever if they wanted to. The law permits them to do so.

It makes sense. Apple and other manufacturers have invested a lot in developing their products. They're not just going to dump that NRE cost.

 

[vegetassj4]

lightning shmightning.....I'm still holding onto a printer with this bad boy:

 

[btrach144]

Never buying another lighting product. Literally waiting to buy an iMac until it comes with USB-C keyboard and trackpad.

It’s out of principle at this point.

 

[nutmac]

Lightning is a better design than USB-C.

While Lightning is smaller than USB-C, the difference is not significant and its male connector has one major disadvantage. The female connector on the device could wear out over time (become looser).

The USB-C connector is female, and it is much cheaper to replace.

Furthermore, I don't think Lightning could be made to support higher than USB 2.0 (480 Mbps) data rate.

 

[CWallace]

We had to change over at some point. If anything Apple should have done it sooner, and more quickly. iPhones and accessories should have moved over to USB-C at the same time the iPad did in 2018. But noooo, they waited for some reason, and as a result we had five more years of lightning accessories and cables being sold.

Probably a mix of existing stock, existing supply chains with maximum economies of scale and MFI licensing for the Lightning cables.

Interesting to see what happens with the iPhone 14 range as that won't filter out of the lineup before the EU law comes into force. I wonder if the rumours of an iPhone SE using the iPhone 14 shell are just a version of the iPhone with USB-C to comply with the EU law.

As others have noted above me, the EU law allows the continued sale of pre-existing devices not using USB-C, so Apple does not need to swap out Lightning for USB-C to continue to sell any current device that uses Lightning. I am going to hazard a guess that device refreshes (so the physical design stays the same, but internal components change) are required to move to USB-C which would explain why Apple released a USB-C version of the refreshed AirPods Pro and why it is believed the next generation of AirPods Max will also adopt USB-C.

 

[trip1ex]

here is an idea, just stop buying lightning devices instead of whining about it.

i agree and yet we need entertainment and MR needs clickbait and others need an outlet.

 

[tomtad]

here is an idea, just stop buying lightning devices instead of whining about it.

But I can’t buy an Apple mouse that doesn’t have lightning

 

[CWallace]

Furthermore, I don't think Lightning could be made to support higher than USB 2.0 (480 Mbps) data rate.

The Lightning port on the 2nd Generation iPad Pro did support USB 3.0.

 

[shaown]

Isn't the Apple TV remote still Lightning?

No

 

[CapitalIdea]

Isn't the Apple TV remote still Lightning?

Moved to USB-C a while back