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Apple Still Sells These Devices With Lightning After Discontinuing iPad 9

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Apple discontinued the ninth-generation iPad with a Lightning port last week, meaning that its entire iPad lineup now uses USB-C. However, the company still sells a handful of devices and accessories with Lightning for now.

lightning connector feature purple
The list of products that Apple still sells with a Lightning port or connector includes some older iPhone models, the standard AirPods, the over-ear AirPods Max, the first-generation Apple Pencil, and a trio of Magic accessories for the Mac:

  • iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14, iPhone 13, and iPhone SE
  • Second-generation and third-generation AirPods
  • AirPods Max
  • First-generation Apple Pencil
  • Magic Keyboard
  • Magic Mouse
  • Magic Trackpad

Apple has been gradually switching most of its products to USB-C, including the entire iPhone 15 series and the second-generation AirPods Pro last year, and AirPods Max with a USB-C port are rumored to launch later this year. Apple also discontinued the MagSafe Battery Pack and the MagSafe Duo Charger, which charge via Lightning.

Apple first introduced the Lightning port on the iPhone 5 in 2012.

Tag: Lightning

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Top Rated Comments

L
LawJolla
28 months ago
The magic accessories continuing to use lightning -- especially when they should have always been USB -- is just brutal.
Score: 43 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mthomas184 Avatar
mthomas184
28 months ago

I bet if you were the only Lightning iPhone in a family of Androids, you’d have been asking for the switch sooner.
Nope. Just means I wouldn't have to worry about anyone stealing my cables. ;)
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mcilwraith Avatar
mcilwraith
28 months ago
USB C is great. lightning was great. who cares!
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
J
jntdroid
28 months ago
Try being the only one in a family of 5 (all Apple) to switch to a phone with USB-C and you'll find out real quick how much the general public doesn't care about this and even finds it a hassle... for now at least. :)
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
carswell Avatar
carswell
28 months ago
In January, I started developing repetitive stress injury in my right hand and forearm that I assumed - correctly it turns out - was related to mouse usage. Being extremely right-handed, mousing with my left hand seemed ill advised, so I thought of getting a Magic (jeesh, do I hate that descriptor) Trackpad but balked when I saw it was still a Lightning device.

Having finally achieved "one cable to rule them all" status (well, except for the micro USB cable for powering my e-reader until I get a new one), I'm not about to go back and so opted instead for a small ambidextrous mouse that I've learned to use - clumsily but less and less so - with my left hand. Doubt I'll be opting for a MT now.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
QCassidy352 Avatar
QCassidy352
28 months ago

USB C is great. lightning was great. who cares!
I agree that both are totally fine, but it’s annoying to have different devices that aren’t using the same standard. So having started the move to usb-c, they should now hurry up and finish it.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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