Jason Hiner/ZDNET
Apple this week launched one big thing and removed five smaller things in the process. With the unveiling of the new iPhone 16e, the company's entry-level handset that brings modernized processing power and AI capabilities downmarket, Apple also did away with several familiar products and services -- some more obvious than others.
Also: What does the 'e' in iPhone 16e stand for?
These five products weren't sacrifices per se, but their removal was integral to streamlining the overall iPhone experience. Here's the list and how they all contribute to a more consistent and uniform 2025 iPhone lineup.
1. iPhone 14 series
Whenever a new iPhone launches, an older generation model almost always gets a price drop or is discontinued. With the unveiling of the iPhone 16e, the now three-year-old iPhone 14 series just got the boot, and you likely won't miss it.
When we reviewed the iPhone 14 series in 2022, ZDNET editor-in-chief Jason Hiner and I found its newest features, such as the always-on display and switch to eSIM support, to be lacking. In some ways, the changes that the iPhone 14 had introduced at the time made it more difficult for consumers to decide if upgrading to the latest device was a sensible choice.
Also: Industry analyst predicts iPhones to get 9% price hike amidst US tariffs - and I believe it
It didn't help that Apple retained the Lightning port, which was already beginning to be phased out across other devices like iPads and MacBooks. With both the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus removed from the Apple store, the iPhone 16e is now the definitive choice for shoppers on a budget.
2. Lightning ports on iPhones
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