The year 2016 marked the debut of arguably the most infamous accessory in Apple’s history: a seemingly insignificant dongle bundled with the iPhone 7, yet carrying a $9 replacement fee. Now, this tiny adapter appears to be fading into obsolescence.
This accessory, of course, is the widely criticized Lightning to 3.5 mm Headphone Jack Adapter. Apple’s decision to eliminate the headphone jack from the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, leaving the Lightning port as the sole wired audio interface, necessitated this dongle. Since Lightning headphones were uncommon at the time, Apple included the adapter in every box.
Judging by Apple’s online store, this adapter might be gone for good. It’s currently listed as sold out online and unavailable in nearby retail locations. Interestingly, Apple continues to offer a USB-C to 3.5 mm Headphone Jack Adapter for its newer iPhone models.
While Apple still sells the iPhone SE and iPhone 14, both equipped with Lightning ports, this legacy connection is nearing its end. For those still seeking a Lightning to 3.5 mm Headphone Jack Adapter, retailers like Walmart offer it at discounted prices, around $7, while supplies last. This dwindling availability further suggests Apple’s move away from the Lightning port, potentially impacting millions of users still reliant on the technology. As of 2024, estimates suggest hundreds of millions of iPhones globally still use the Lightning connector, highlighting the scale of this transition.
