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

With the launch of the new iPhone 16e, Apple discontinued the iPhone 14, ‌iPhone‌ 14 Plus, and iPhone SE, eliminating the last two ‌iPhone‌ models that were equipped with a Lightning port.

lightning connector feature blue
Apple no longer manufactures any iPhones with a Lightning port, and all models in the ‌iPhone‌ lineup feature USB-C. Apple does still sell refurbished iPhones that use Lightning, but its main website and retail locations only offer iPhones with USB-C connectivity.

The new 16e has a USB-C port, as do the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 models that Apple also sells. Apple started the transition away from Lightning with the ‌iPhone 15‌ launch in 2023, and it has completed the move to USB-C in less than two years.

Apple has already overhauled the iPad lineup with USB-C, so Lightning is no longer used for any ‌iPhone‌, ‌iPad‌, or Mac. Lightning has almost been phased out entirely, but Apple continues to sell the original Apple Pencil and some legacy cables that have Lightning connectors.

Apple will need to offer a small selection of Lightning-based accessories for a few years to come, but we are close to the full sunsetting of the Lightning port and connector.

Related Roundup: iPhone 16e
Buyer's Guide: iPhone 16e (Buy Now)

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Top Rated Comments

BelgianChoklit Avatar
1 day ago at 12:20 pm
89 of the 91 articles published here today could've been said in 3 articles.
Score: 36 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Cryates Avatar
1 day ago at 12:15 pm
“Apple no longer sells any iPhone with ___” has been an abused headline today.
Score: 29 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Avenged110 Avatar
1 day ago at 12:19 pm
For things that didn't require high power or fast data transfer speeds, I've always preferred Lightning. It seems like a much more durable connector.
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
kirky29 Avatar
1 day ago at 12:19 pm
Thankfully 99% of gadgets in my house are now finally USB C! Even my toothbrush and shaver! :)
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
vegetassj4 Avatar
1 day ago at 12:15 pm
As Yoda would say:



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Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
klasma Avatar
1 day ago at 12:21 pm

“Apple no longer sells any iPhone with ___” has been an abused headline today.
Apple no longer sells any iPhone below $500.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)