Per a brand new MacRumors report, Apple seems to be phasing out its Lightning to three.5mm headphone jack adapter. It was initially launched in 2016 with the launch of the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. This accent, which allowed customers to attach conventional wired headphones by the Lightning port on iPhones missing a headphone jack, has lately been marked as “bought out” on Apple’s on-line retailer within the US and lots of different areas.
Solely a restricted variety of international locations, similar to France, Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden, nonetheless have inventory obtainable, however it’s probably solely till present stock runs out. The same discontinuation occurred with Apple’s USB-powered SuperDrive (a modern optical disc drive that helps CDs and DVDs) earlier this yr, which grew to become unavailable within the US earlier than being pulled worldwide.
Initially, Apple included the adapter without spending a dime with iPhone fashions just like the iPhone 7, iPhone 8, and iPhone X, however beginning with the iPhone XS, it was now not bundled within the field. Regardless of this, Apple continued promoting the adapter individually for $9 within the US for almost eight years.
Now, as the corporate transitions to USB-C ports throughout its new gadgets, the demand for the Lightning adapter has dwindled. The one iPhone fashions with a Lightning port which might be nonetheless being bought new are the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, and iPhone SE, all of that are anticipated to be discontinued in 2024.
With Apple totally embracing USB-C beginning with the iPhone 15 sequence, the corporate now provides a USB-C to three.5mm adapter for many who choose wired audio. Moreover, Apple continues to supply its well-liked wired EarPods in a number of variations, together with USB-C, Lightning, and the standard 3.5mm plug.
Nevertheless, many individuals in the present day simply use wi-fi earbuds or headphones, just like the AirPods Max.