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Apple launched the Lightning port in September 2012, debuting it on the iPhone 5.
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Since then, it has been fitted to billions of devices, including iPhones, iPads, and AirPods charging cases. From the very moment it was unveiled, we knew it would one day be replaced. With the release of the iPhone 16e, that day has officially arrived.
Durable but poor quality
The Lightning connector was a revolutionary 8-pin, reversible port that replaced the bulky 30-pin dock connector found on iPods and earlier iPhones. It was iconic -- a small, streamlined design that looked futuristic and was far easier to use compared to other ports of the time, such as the micro USB connector commonly used on Android devices.
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Over the years, Lightning proved to be impressively robust and reliable. Personally, I've only encountered two broken Lightning ports during its entire run -- especially remarkable compared to the countless broken USB-C ports I've come across.
However, while the port itself was durable, Apple's Lightning charging cables were notorious for their poor quality. They had a tendency to fray and break near the connector, and the connectors themselves often suffered from corrosion issues.
Things improved significantly when Apple moved to USB-C to Lightning cables -- and when the company opened up the Lightning standard to third-party manufacturers, allowing for better-quality cables to enter the market. Although it also spawned a lot of cheap and nasty cables too.
Early USB-A Lightning connector suffered from corrosion on the contacts.
Transitioning to USB-C
The writing was on the wall as soon as Apple began transitioning to USB-C, starting with the iPad Pro in 2018.
USB-C brought several advantages over Lightning, including faster data transfer speeds and greater power delivery capabilities. The final nail in Lightning's coffin came in 2022, when the European Union passed legislation mandating the standardization of charging ports, effectively pushing Apple to make the switch.
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Despite this, the Lightning port isn't disappearing overnight.
With over 2.5 billion iPhones sold -- and every model from the iPhone 5 to the iPhone 14 featuring a Lightning port -- not to mention AirPods charging cases and accessories like the Magic Mouse, the port will remain relevant for years.
So, while Apple has stopped making Lightning-equipped iPhones, don't throw away those cables just yet.
The Lightning era may be winding down, but it's far from over.
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