Apple recently confirmed that it will be ditching the Lightning connector in favor of USB-C with the release of its iPhone 15 and 15 Pro phones. However, that doesn’t mean you have to throw away all your Lightning cables just yet. Many products in Apple’s catalog still use Lightning, and it’s likely that they will be refreshed with USB-C in the near future. Let’s take a look at some of these products.
The Magic Keyboard is a popular accessory that has remained largely unchanged since its launch in 2015. It comes in four versions, with prices ranging from $99 to $199. The two newest versions, introduced alongside the 2021 M1 iMac, feature Touch ID. However, all versions still charge via a Lightning port. There’s a possibility that Apple will release an updated version with a USB-C port if they launch an M3-powered iMac this year.
The Magic Mouse, priced at $99, also uses a Lightning port for charging. While it switched from replaceable batteries to a rechargeable built-in lithium-ion battery in 2015, the Lightning port’s placement on the bottom of the mouse has remained unchanged. It’s possible that Apple may redesign the Magic Mouse and relocate the port in the future.
The Magic Trackpad, priced at $149, offers users a large, glass-topped trackpad with touch-sensitive sensors. It’s a highly regarded trackpad, but like the Magic Mouse, it still uses a Lightning port for charging. A new iMac release would be a perfect opportunity for Apple to update the Magic Trackpad with a USB-C port.
The second-generation AirPods, priced at $159, introduced better wireless connectivity and the ability to summon Siri. However, they still rely on a Lightning port for charging. Although Apple recently added USB-C to the AirPods Pro, it remains uncertain whether the second-generation AirPods will receive the same treatment.
Apple introduced the third-generation AirPods in 2021, which offer some of the features of the AirPods Pro but do not have noise cancellation. Priced at $169 or $179, depending on whether you want MagSafe, they also come with a Lightning port. The AirPods Pro, on the other hand, come with a USB-C port.
The AirPods Max, Apple’s luxury headphones priced at $549, use a Lightning port for charging and require it for wired audio. Rumors suggest that Apple may switch to USB-C for the AirPods Max next year, which would likely come with significant improvements.
The first-generation Apple Pencil, which features a Lightning connector, is still available for purchase from the Apple Store. It’s likely that this version will stick around until Apple introduces fully wireless versions of the Apple Pencil.
The iPhone SE, priced at $429, is Apple’s cheapest smartphone. It still uses a Lightning port and incorporates other throwback features such as Touch ID and a single rear camera. An updated version is not expected until 2025, so it may be a while before the Lightning port disappears from this model.
The iPhone 13 and iPhone 14, both featuring Lightning ports, are currently available for purchase. While the iPhone 13 is $100 cheaper at $599, the iPhone 14 offers only minor differences such as a satellite SOS feature. It’s likely that these models will continue to feature Lightning ports until they are phased out of Apple’s lineup in the next few years.
Apple’s ninth-generation iPad, still available for $329, uses an A13 Bionic chip and has a 10.2-inch LCD display. It also includes a Lightning port. Despite the availability of USB-C on other iPad models, it’s unlikely that the ninth-generation iPad will receive a USB-C upgrade.
In addition to these products, there are many Apple accessories that still use Lightning. While we won’t list them all here, it’s worth noting that Apple may have more Lightning products or accessories available on its website. If you know of any other obscure Lightning products, feel free to let us know in the comments.
