It’s only been a little over a decade since Apple revealed its new Lightning port with the iPhone 5, but the little port has almost completely disappeared. After the European Parliament passed a new rule in 2022 requiring all new phones and smaller electronic devices that use a cable to charge to have a USB-C port, the countdown to the death of Lightning began. Although the rule technically only applies to new products sold in Europe, Apple has changed its Lightning devices to USB-C following the launch of the iPhone 15 in 2023.
In September, Apple replaced the Lightning port on the AirPods Max and AirPods 4 cases, leaving only a handful of Lightning devices. Here’s what’s left and how much longer they’ll be there:
iPhone SE
Last update: March 2022 (3rd generation)
Next expected update: March 2025 (4th generation)
Apple updated the iPhone 15 with USB-C in 2023, but there are still two phones with a Lightning port: the iPhone 14 and the iPhone SE. The latest iPhone SE rumors indicate that Apple will update the current model in 2025 with a new iPhone 14-style design, Apple Intelligence support, and of course, a USB-C port. In fact, Apple could also launch an iPhone SE Plus which would likely replace the iPhone 14 and make the entire lineup Lightning-free.
Foundry
Magic keyboard, magic trackpad, magic mouse
Last updated: March 2022 (black)
Next expected update: October 2024
Apple hasn’t changed its trio of Mac accessories much in nearly a decade, but it introduces new colors regularly. In 2021, all three accessories (Magic Mouse, Magic Trackpad and Magic Mouse) received new colors to match the new 24-inch iMac, while the Magic Keyboard received a Touch ID sensor. Then, in 2022, Apple began offering black versions of the accessories alongside the Mac Studio and Studio Display. While we don’t expect Apple to surprise us with a Magic Mouse that charges properly (meaning you don’t need to flip it over to connect the charger), Apple should update its Mac accessories in 2024 with USB-C when the first models equipped with M4 chips arrive.
IDG
Powerbeats Pro
Last updated: June 2020 (new colors)
Next expected update: 2025
While most of Apple’s Beats products use USB-C or micro-USB for charging, there is one, the PowerBeats Pro, that still uses Lightning. After Apple discontinued the PowerBeats in 2024, we assumed that the PowerBeats Pro would disappear forever. But in September 2024, Beats and Shohei Ohtani teased a new model with a sleek design. Additionally, they may be able to measure heart rate during a workout.
