It’s 2024 and Apple still sells 9 products with a Lightning connector. The transition to USB-C remains unfinished

The one with Apple connectors history of hardship. They stuck with Lightning on the iPad until the electrical limitations of what was supposed to be “your next computer” made it obvious they needed to move to USB-C. They were also obsessed with Lightning in the iPhone until the European Parliament said as a joke that everything was fine, but it was time to change, even if it was under the guise of protecting the environment.

And now Apple is still determined to stretch the Lightning band a little further, despite the fact that it is a connector with already important limitations (480 Mbps, limited voltage). And it’s also true that for some devices it’s irrelevant, since the convenience of the ubiquitous USB-C is unmatched.

Plump rhythm

On Apple’s website in April 2024, for the May 7 event that is about to move shelves, the following products with Lightning are being sold:

• iPhone SE. Announced March 2022.
• AirPods 2nd generation. Announced in 2019.
• AirPods third generation.. Announced in 2021.
• AirPods Max. Announced December 2020.
• Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse, Magic Trackpad. Announced in 2015 (with the exception of some small later versions, such as black versions or the Magic Keyboard with fingerprint scanner for Apple Silicon).
• Powerbeats Pro. Announced June 2020.
• Apple Pencil first generation.. Announced in 2015.

We’re leaving out the iPhone 13, 14 and 14 Plus, as well as the 9th generation iPad, which are also still sold on Apple’s website, as these are limited-edition and successor models. stock accumulated for those looking for cheaper alternatives. We also leave out non-essential products such as cables and adapters.

Must be AirPods paved the way because the latest AirPods Pro already have USB-C and because replacements for both the base and Max are coming this year. Moreover, the leaks, in addition to the division of the base model, also talk about the transition to USB-C.

There is no news about Powerbeats, perhaps because it is a product of much less interest. But other Beats have a standard port.

The 1st generation Apple Pencil is part of the great mess that is the Pencil, and it’s only a matter of time until it’s eradicated. Once the latest 2018 model’s non-wireless charging iPads are no longer supported, it will be a very slow transition.

The iPhone SE is similar to the AirPods: since it’s not an annual update model, it’s only a matter of time before a successor arrives, likely by legal imperative, with USB-C.

The periphery remains. Keyboard, mouse and trackpad. The Trident, which Apple is updating at a rapid pace and for which they also seem to be in no hurry to provide USB-C. Perhaps because there is a great stock place before the renewal announcement.

There is a little less time left before finishing, leaving behind a connector whose time has long come. Lightning is alive, the fight (for the transition to USB-C) continues.

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Featured Image | Xataka with Midjourney