Joe Rossignol
Apple appears to be discontinuing the Lightning to 3.5mm headphone jack adapter that launched with the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus in 2016.
According to MacRumors writer Aaron Parris, the adapter was recently listed as “sold out” on Apple's online store in the US and most other countries. The adapter is still only available from Apple in a few countries, such as France, Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden, but likely only until supplies last. A similar situation happened with the SuperDrive earlier this year, when the USB-powered CD drive sold out on Apple’s online store, first in the US and then around the world.
Apple included the adapter with all iPhone 7, iPhone 8, and iPhone X models at no extra charge, but all models starting with the iPhone XS did not come with it. Apple continued to sell the adapter on its online store, setting the price at $9 in the US, but the accessory appears to be going away after an eight-year run.
The adapter allows users to connect wired headphones with a 3.5mm jack to iPhone models without a headphone jack via the Lightning port. However, the only iPhone models with Lightning ports that Apple still sells new are the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, and iPhone SE, and all three of those devices are expected to be discontinued next year. All iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 models feature USB-C ports, and Apple continues to sell a USB-C to 3.5mm headphone adapter.
Along with the wireless AirPods line, Apple continues to sell wired EarPods with USB-C, Lightning, and 3.5mm ports.
Update: Various other Lightning adapters and cables are on sale at Apple's online store in some countries. In the US, that includes a Lightning to VGA adapter with home delivery.
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