I remember the day I brought home my first lightning cable. I had just upgraded my iPhone 4S to a 5S and the new connector came with it. I wasn’t thrilled that I needed to incorporate a new type of cable into my life. But now that Lightning is on her way out, I have to protest… “Hey! I use that!”
Since the introduction of the Lightning standard, Apple has been in an almost constant battle over the connector. Most of the arguments against Lightning stem from the fact that Apple uses this proprietary technology to stay in control of its products (and benefit through the MFi program). And this criticism has some justification. But I don’t think they’re forcing Apple to put technology into its products that it doesn’t want.
However, the European Union takes a different view. Last year, the EU passed a “shared charger” law, effectively forcing Apple to make future versions of the iPhone and other electronic devices USB-C compatible. The legislation reportedly aims to reduce e-waste and promote customer convenience. However, it will actually cause a lot of inconvenience and create more e-waste in my life. And I don’t even live in Europe!
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Lightning is an integral part of my life
In 2012, almost all of the mobile devices I used were connected and charged using Apple’s legacy 30-pin dock connector. I had an iPhone, iPod, and iPad that I used regularly, with 30-pin cables scattered throughout my life so they could stay charged throughout the day. I had 30-pin cables at home, in my vehicle, and at work. I even carried a 30-pin connector around in my backpack so I could always charge my phone and give other Apple users a charge when needed. When I upgraded to the iPhone 5S, I was upset because I had a device that didn’t fit the rest of my tech life, and it was a real inconvenience for a while.
And it wasn’t just that the arrival of Lightning meant I had a black sheep device that didn’t stay charged as consistently as I generally like. It also meant I lost some features that I had been relying on. For example, the iPhone 5S was one of the first iPhone models without a headphone jack. Apple ditched it in favor of Lightning-connected earbuds (and forced you to use a wired headphone adapter). Combining the power and headphone ports with the Lightning jack meant I couldn’t charge my phone and listen to my headphones at the same time (at least not without an adapter). I was pretty angry about that at the time. However, the advent of AirPods and wireless charging solved that in due course.
Transitioning away from Lightning will likely result in a similar experience for me. In the decade that’s passed since I’ve had to ditch 30-pin, I’ve developed the same kind of tech routine with my Lightning-charged devices. In addition to my iPhone, I also have AirPods, a Magic Keyboard, and a Magic Mouse. And like 2014, I’ve misplaced Lightning cables my entire life to keep all of these things charged and ready to go. I’ve spent a lot of time and money making the transition from 30-pin to Lightning, and I like what I’m about to do now. I’m not in the mood for another transition.
Is it really that uncomfortable?
I understand that all phones are supposed to have a standard charger. Many people have devices from multiple manufacturers, and keeping charging cords for everyone can become cumbersome, messy, and inconvenient. There have been many times in my life that I have wished for a certain type of charger and it was just the type that didn’t exist. That’s why I put Lightning cables where I need them.
It’s worth noting that I also have USB-C cables in the same places I have Lightning. I don’t find it a burden at all as it allows me to charge multiple devices anywhere. If everything I owned was charged via USB-C, I would have been far less likely to put multiple cables where I needed them. But I can understand why some people would find it annoying.
However, I don’t think the move to USB-C will solve many of the connectivity issues advocates of the new EU regulation are hoping for. Sure, you only need a charger in your car. But what about your computer? Will everything you own connect via USB-C? Barely. Multiple ports like USB-A, HDMI, Micro-USB (yes, they still exist), and more are still popular, and the devices that use them still have a lot of life to them.
Enforcing a single charging standard does nothing to address the billions of devices already out there that don’t use it. In fact, it’s accelerating the obsolescence of those legacy devices, things people paid good money for and still want to use.
Apple can’t stop making Lightning anyway
However, I should take comfort in the knowledge that my Lightning cables are going nowhere, at least for now. As firmly as Lightning is in my life, millions of people out there will continue to use the standard no matter what. We have no choice. The vast majority of products that we use regularly are charged via Lightning. Even if Apple wanted to abandon the standard immediately, it couldn’t.
But just like 30-pin devices, the phasing out of Lightning means existing iPhones, AirPods, keyboards, mice, and several other products have a hard timer for obsolescence. This spells an early death for many devices that could have lasted years longer without a forced upgrade in the market.
As I write this, I’m looking at a stack of old Apple devices on my desk: an iPhone 4S, a 1st generation iPod Touch, and an iPod Classic. There’s also an iPad 2 on the bookshelf behind me. All of which I used regularly before the introduction of Lightning. Now they are a decoration. You are still working. I still turn them on occasionally when I feel like digging out a 30-pin connector. But I never use them. If I hadn’t stashed my 30-pin charging cables when upgrading to the iPhone 5S, who knows if they might still be useful?
I know I don’t need to upgrade
It’s likely (almost certain) that the USB-C connector will replace Lightning in the iPhone 15 this October. Apple has already signaled that it intends to comply with the European Union’s common charger mandate. And it seems unlikely (though possible) that Apple will make an iPhone for Europe with USB-C and another for the rest of the world with Lightning. So I’m preparing for an unplanned forced upgrade march.
However, I suspect Apple won’t just say, ‘okay, USB-C for everyone; Use any USB-C cable.” The company is expected to expand certain USB-C features, such as B. high-speed charging, behind its MFi certification program. You may need to buy “iPhone-certified” USB-C cables to get the most out of your iPhone 15 – another generation of Apple connectors I’m bringing in and out of my life.
But do I have to? Not yet. All of my Lightning devices still have several years of life remaining. And the (probably) last iPhone to use Lightning, the iPhone 14, will be around for a few more years. So I don’t have to start the transition just yet. If I were to freeze tech time now, I could probably go five years before completely banning lighting from my routine. For me, the question is how long do I want to keep my current tech habits going and is it worth upgrading to the iPhone 15 to start this transition now.
The Best Lightning Cables of 2023 
Anker New USB-C to Lightning Nylon Charging Cable
SMALLElectric 6ft Lightning Cable
Native Union Belt Cable XL USB-C to Lightning cable
Anker Powerline II USB-C to Lightning cable
Anker Powerline+ II Lightning cable
Apple Lightning to Digital AV Adapter
KINPS Aux to Lightning Cable
Spigen DuraSync 3 in 1 universal charging cable
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