Apple ceased its outdated 15-pin connector on September 12, 2012, and introduced the Lightning plug, an 8-pinned connector that was smooth and reversible. It provided various power and data transfer options and was widely used by Apple fans. This connector not only charged iPhones and iPads but also served as a universal power source for other portable devices such as keyboards or AirPods. Additionally, it was used in keyboard/datacutters with millions of compatible chargers across all major mobile devices.
Apple acknowledged that USB-C could be a more practical solution for power consumption, and as he observed, devices with higher power demands started using it. This changed in 2018, with the iPad Pro models being among the first to adopt this technology. The iPad Air followed suit in 2020, while the 10th-generation iPad did the same in 2022.
The EU’s excessive e-waste and multiple charger complications have led to the adoption of USB type-C ports for various devices.
As part of the launch of iPhone 15 today, the organization based in Cupertino declared that the Lightning connector was no longer available, 11 years after its introduction.
Keep up-to-date with our coverage of the Apple Event in 2023 by reading here.
I find it a bit lame that Apple didn’t lead the charge with their Lightning technology several generations ago. It seems like Apple was hoping to wait until its latest connectors were available before transitioning to wireless technology. However, having strong magnets on your wireless charger makes sense when you’re out and about without having to worry about it.
With the trend of moving towards wireless charging and the prevalence of wireless headphones and accessories, what is the significance of this shift?