Apple Phases Out Lightning Port in iPhone Lineup With iPhone 16e Launch

Apple has discontinued the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, and iPhone SE, which were the last models to feature a Lightning port. As a result, Apple no longer manufactures any iPhones with a Lightning port, and all current models in the iPhone lineup feature USB-C connectivity. Although Apple still sells refurbished iPhones with Lightning ports, its main website and retail locations only offer iPhones with USB-C. The iPhone 16e, iPhone 15, and iPhone 16 models all feature USB-C ports. Apple began transitioning away from Lightning with the iPhone 15 launch in 2023 and has completed the move to USB-C in under two years. The iPad lineup has also been overhauled with USB-C, meaning Lightning is no longer used for any iPhone, iPad, or Mac. While Apple still sells some legacy cables and the original Apple Pencil with Lightning connectors, the company is close to phasing out the Lightning port entirely. Apple will need to continue offering some Lightning-based accessories for a few more years, but the transition to USB-C is almost complete. The discontinuation of the iPhone 14 series marks a significant step towards the end of the Lightning era. Overall, Apple's move to USB-C reflects the company's efforts to standardize its devices and accessories.