Apple Announces New Dock Connector Called 'Lightning' - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Apple Announces New Dock Connector Called 'Lightning'

As predicted, Apple today announced that it is replacing the familiar 30-pin dock connector for its mobile devices with a new smaller one. The new connector bears the name "Lightning".

iphone 5 lightning
The new cable is described as an all-digital, 8-signal design with an adaptive interface, and improved durability. Users can use it in either orientation (reversible) and it's 80% smaller than the old dock connector.

Making iPhone 5 thinner and lighter required a pivotal change: replacing the 30-pin connector with something newer, smaller, and better. Introducing the Lightning connector. It features an all-digital, eight-signal design that’s significantly more durable than the 30-pin connector. Another brilliant feature of Lightning: It’s reversible. Which means there’s no wrong way to plug in the cable.

lightning cable e1347476331309

Apple will be providing an adapter for existing accessories and companies like Bose, JBL, B&W, and B&O are already working on the new connector. Apple's adapters include a direct plug adapter priced at $29 and one incorporating a short cable for $39.

lightning adapters

Popular Stories

iPhone Duo Display Cracking

Apple Alerts Stores to iPhone Duo's Display Cracking Issue

Friday October 30, 2026 3:20 pm PDT by
In a memo shared with Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers this week, and later obtained by MacRumors, Apple provided technicians with guidance on how to diagnose and address the iPhone Duo's inner display cracking issue. If a customer reports the issue, Apple advised technicians to inspect the iPhone Duo and repair or replace it in accordance with their standard procedures....
Everything New Your iPhone Can Do on iOS 27

14 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in iOS 27.2

Friday October 30, 2026 12:42 pm PDT by
Apple released iOS 27.2 on October 26, bringing enhancements to Siri AI, adding Suggestions in Messages, and sneaking in a string of smaller additions across Photos, Podcasts, Games, Apple TV, and FaceTime. iOS 27.2 is available to download to your device now via Settings ➝ General ➝ Software Update. Note that some features may not be available in all regions or on all iPhone models....
iPhone Duo Week Later Thumb 2

iPhone Duo Review: One Week Later

Friday October 30, 2026 11:46 am PDT by
It's been a week since the iPhone Duo was released, and MacRumors videographer Dan Barbera wanted to revisit his review since he's been able to use the Duo for a longer stretch of time. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. You've probably seen images of iPhone Duos with a bright white line running across one side of the inner display. There is a defect affecting some...

Top Rated Comments

185 months ago
Changing $29 for a phone adapter is indeed revolutionary. No company has ever tried to extort that much money from their customers before.
Score: 31 Votes (Like | Disagree)
parish Avatar
185 months ago
Cue Bohemian Rhapsody...

Thunderbolt and Lightning, very, very frightening ...
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tigres Avatar
185 months ago
29.00 is bull ****.

Nuff said.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
185 months ago
Video/iPod Out?

On the Apple Store pages for the two adapters, they both have a warning about "Video and iPod Out not supported."

I get the video part, but does that mean I won't be able to use the adapter with the 30-pin cable in my car to play music?
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
zorinlynx Avatar
185 months ago
The adapters do not support "iPod Out"

Does this mean that line-level audio outputs are no longer supported?

If so this SUCKS! All the devices out there that let you dock an iPhone to play music will no longer work.

Nice going, Apple.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Want300 Avatar
185 months ago
$29 price tag? Yikes. Not horrible, but more than what I was hoping for.

http://store.apple.com/us/product/MD823ZM/A/lightning-to-30-pin-adapter

Changing $29 for a phone adapter is indeed revolutionary. No company has ever tried to extort that much money from their customers before.

$29?!?!?!?!?!

And I need at least two of these. That is insane
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Latest Stories
Apple HomeView Could Double as a Security Camera
Apple HomeView Could Double as a Security Camera
45 minutes ago
Apple Launching Five New Products This Friday
Apple Launching Five New Products This Friday
1 hour ago
Nearly Every M5 MacBook Air Now $200 Off on Amazon
Nearly Every M5 MacBook Air Now $200 Off on Amazon
17 hours ago
Apple's HomeView Ships With Six-Month-Old Software
Apple's HomeView Ships With Six-Month-Old Software
19 hours ago
Three New iPads Rumored to Launch in First Half of 2027
Three New iPads Rumored to Launch in First Half of 2027
19 hours ago
Apple Offers Steps to Fix Daylight Saving Time Bug on Apple Watch
Apple Offers Steps to Fix Daylight Saving Time Bug on Apple Watch
23 hours ago
Apple Watch Ultra 4 Hits All-Time Low Price With Amazon's $99 Discount
Apple Watch Ultra 4 Hits All-Time Low Price With Amazon's $99 Discount
2 days ago
Reminder: Apple's Big Discount on Beats 360 Ear Cushions Ends Today
Reminder: Apple's Big Discount on Beats 360 Ear Cushions Ends Today
2 days ago
Here's a New Tour of Apple's HomeView Software
Here's a New Tour of Apple's HomeView Software
2 days ago
Apple Reveals New iPad Mini's Battery Capacity
Apple Reveals New iPad Mini's Battery Capacity
2 days ago
Top Stories: Apple's Big MacBook Pro, iPad mini and iMac Updates
Top Stories: Apple's Big MacBook Pro, iPad mini and iMac Updates
2 days ago
'Pluribus' Season 2 Reportedly Starts Production Today
'Pluribus' Season 2 Reportedly Starts Production Today
2 days ago
iPhone 18 Pro Sales Surge in China, Offsetting Decline in U.S. and Japan
iPhone 18 Pro Sales Surge in China, Offsetting Decline in U.S. and Japan
2 days ago
HomeView Software 27.2: Wallpapers, Control Center, and More
HomeView Software 27.2: Wallpapers, Control Center, and More
2 days ago
Apple Alerts Stores to iPhone Duo's Display Cracking Issue
Apple Alerts Stores to iPhone Duo's Display Cracking Issue
2 days ago
iOS 27.3 Will Enable These Apple Intelligence Features in China
iOS 27.3 Will Enable These Apple Intelligence Features in China
3 days ago
Apple Says iOS 27.3 Beta Coming Next Week
Apple Says iOS 27.3 Beta Coming Next Week
3 days ago
Apple's Flash Storage Suppliers Are Finally 'Getting Their Revenge'
Apple's Flash Storage Suppliers Are Finally 'Getting Their Revenge'
3 days ago
14 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in iOS 27.2
14 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in iOS 27.2
3 days ago
iPhone Duo Review: One Week Later
iPhone Duo Review: One Week Later
3 days ago
Samsung Mocks iPhone Duo Display Cracks in New Ad Campaign
Samsung Mocks iPhone Duo Display Cracks in New Ad Campaign
3 days ago
The MacRumors Show: OLED MacBook Pro, iPad Mini 8, and More
The MacRumors Show: OLED MacBook Pro, iPad Mini 8, and More
3 days ago
MacBook Pro With Touch Display: 15 More Details Revealed
MacBook Pro With Touch Display: 15 More Details Revealed
3 days ago
Russia Places Apple on State Surveillance Registry
Russia Places Apple on State Surveillance Registry
3 days ago
Halloween Weekend Brings Discounts on Apple Accessories and Pre-Orders
Halloween Weekend Brings Discounts on Apple Accessories and Pre-Orders
3 days ago
Apple Has Released More Than 25 New Products in the Past Two Months
Apple Has Released More Than 25 New Products in the Past Two Months
3 days ago
Local Code Launches as Free, Private AI Assistant Tool for Mac
Local Code Launches as Free, Private AI Assistant Tool for Mac
3 days ago
Apple Acquires Ascend.io
Apple Acquires Ascend.io
3 days ago
HomePod Mini 2 Launches Today: All the New Features
HomePod Mini 2 Launches Today: All the New Features
3 days ago
AirTag 2 4-Pack Drops to New Low Price of $69.99
AirTag 2 4-Pack Drops to New Low Price of $69.99
3 days ago