September 12, 2012: The Lightning connector replaces Apple’s aging 30-pin interface, a proprietary data and power connector that debuted on the iPod Classic in 2003. The slender and capable new Lightning port debuts in the iPhone 5, bringing big improvements — and no small amount of controversy.
Apple soon will build the Lightning connector into many other products, including iPad, iPod and accessories. Lightning cables can charge the mobile devices as well as transfer data to a Mac or PC.
Apple’s Lightning connector brings big improvements
The Lightning connector’s launch caused some controversy because Apple users previously invested in cables and other accessories for the suddenly outdated 30-pin dock connector. However, the new format actually brought significant upgrades. It proved far superior to rival options available at the time.
For starters, Lightning was much smaller than the 30-pin connector. And it was reversible, so it could be inserted into its port face up or face down. That put it far ahead of micro USB connections.
The chief disadvantage of Lightning for consumers? It was yet another proprietary port. It prevented iPhones and Androids from sharing cables without using adapters.
Apple’s new Lightning connector supported USB 3.0 host, but the only accessory that fully supported this feature was the company’s camera adapter, which includes a USB-A port. Most Lightning cables supported only USB 2.0, with a maximum data transfer speed of 60MBps.
Lightning vs. USB-C
Introduced in 2014, USB-C offers all the advantages of the Lightning connector and more. It’s reversible, and nearly as small as Lightning, while offering much higher data-transfer speeds — up to 1,250MBps (10Gbps).
Apple adopted USB-C for MacBooks starting in 2015, then began gradually switching the iPad line to the new connector. 2023’s iPhone 15 lineup switched to USB-C, spurred at least in part by European Union regulations. The latest AirPods and other accessories also use USB-C as Apple slowly moves to replace the Lightning connector in all its products.
