Lightning to 30-pin
It's a little difficult to imagine that Apple only produced five iPhone models with the original charging port in retrospect. The original iPhone, which debuted 16 years ago, shared a 30-pin charging port with the iPod series.
When Apple's 30-pin connector was introduced to the iPhone, it was a passable charging method. The plug no longer secured into place with teeth on either side and only connected while facing forward. Only the iPhone, iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, and iPhone 4S have ever received this charging port from Apple. Nevertheless, the public's response in 2012 when the iPhone 5 moved to the current Lightning connection was not particularly favorable.
Apple now offers USB-C charging for all of its devices, including iPads, MacBooks, Apple TV remote controls, and Beats headphones. That is, everything save the iPhone. Whether Apple likes it or not, the iPhone 15 series will change this. The switch from Lightning to USB-C is long overdue for many of us. The imminent shift has only been tougher as a result of Apple's continued release of Lightning products. However, there is something unique about this charging transition. Some iPhone consumers don't care what kind of charging port Apple employs. It wouldn't matter if Apple switched from Lightning to VGA for charging, though.
This is due to Apple adding wireless charging six years ago, not replacing it. The Qi charging standard was originally supported by the iPhone X and iPhone 8, and the MagSafe experience was greatly enhanced with the iPhone 12. Some customers only utilize the iPhone's charging port as a lint collector and servicing port.
