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Thats right: almost 12 years after its debut, the Lightning port is officially dead.
Now Apples entire line-up is powered by USB-C, from iPads and iPhones to Macs and headphones.
It was also designed to offer faster charging speeds and better reliability than the alternatives.
And beyond, technically, since non-Pro iPhones with USB-C are still held to the same standards.
The major problem was that Lightning didnt meaningfully evolve much over the course of its life.
The addition of Thunderbolt, only enhances those capabilities.
All while the iPhone was being left behind.
It wasnt necessarily about using the same connector as other devices (though that is a huge benefit).
Apple needed to upgrade its wired connectivity, even if the meaningful benefits only applied to Pro models.
Mostly were talking about chargers, or adapters for USB-C, alongside Lightning Earpods.
As long as Apple formally supports devices with a Lightning port, those products will presumably stay on sale.
Thefirst generation Apple Pencilis the only real outlier here, with its weird Lightning plug.
Some of the oldest iPads Pros are good examples, as are older entry-level iPads like theiPad 9.
Lightnings days were always numbered, even if we had more of them than we originally thought.
But as soon as the first USB-C iPhone was announced, its fate was sealed.
Even if it didnt actually have a choice in the matter.
We wont be missing you very much because, frankly, the alternatives have so much more to offer.
