Apple Discontinues Lightning Ports in New iPhones, Introduces Larger Models with Enhanced Storage

Apple's upcoming iPhone 16e marks a significant shift in the company's smartphone lineup, introducing a series of changes aimed at modernizing its offerings. The new entry-level device paves the way for the discontinuation of older models and features, which may not please all consumers.

In line with European regulations, Apple has phased out the Lightning connector, which was already absent from earlier models in the region. The iPhone 14, 14 Plus, and SE 3 have been removed from the product lineup as they do not comply with the required USB-C standard. This move signifies the end of the Lightning era for iPhones, following its previous elimination from iPads. The only device still using the Lightning port is the original Apple Pencil, although adapter cables are still available for purchase.

The discontinuation of the SE 3 also signifies the retirement of the last iPhone model featuring a physical Home button and Touch ID fingerprint recognition. Moving forward, all available iPhones will utilize Face ID for secure authentication. Additionally, Apple has replaced LCD screens with OLED technology across all its models, enhancing display quality.

One notable change in the iPhone 16e is the minimum storage capacity, which has been increased from 64 GB to 128 GB for all models. While this still may not match the storage options available with Android competitors, it represents an improvement over previous offerings. RAM specifications have also seen an upgrade; the iPhone 16e features 8 GB, compared to the 6 GB found in the SE 3. However, Apple continues to offer models with only 6 GB RAM, such as the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus.

Moreover, the new lineup will no longer include compact models, as the smallest screen size available starts at 6.1 inches. The previous SE 3, with its 4.7-inch display, is no longer available, and Apple has not produced mini versions since the iPhone 13 mini. Instead, larger 'Plus' variants have taken their place since the iPhone 14 release.