The End of an Era: Apple Discontinues Lightning Port and Home Button

We are undeniably living in a USB-C dominated world, and Apple’s latest moves have solidified this reality. The company has not only unveiled the new iPhone 16e with a USB-C port, but has also phased out the iPhone 14, marking the end of the Lightning port’s tenure. This development signifies that Apple is no longer manufacturing devices equipped with Lightning ports, thus bringing an era to a close.

Historically, the Lightning port was once the novel feature in town, first introduced by Apple in 2012 as a replacement for the bulky 30-pin dock connector. Over time, it became an integral part of Apple’s ecosystem.

Despite its eventual decline, the Lightning port did not disappear without a struggle. While numerous other companies had already transitioned to USB-C, Apple only made the switch after being compelled by the EU. In 2022, the EU announced that all new mobile devices, including phones, tablets, and earbuds, would be required to feature a USB-C charging port, with a deadline set for the end of 2024. However, Apple initiated the transition with the release of its iPhone 15 in September 2023. Laptops have been given until Spring 2026 to comply, but Apple has already shifted its MacBook lineup to USB-C chargers.

Furthermore, another venerable Apple technology, the Home Button, has been discontinued as of today. The last device to feature this interface was the old iPhone SE, marking a day where some classic Apple features are being phased out forever.