Apple Siri Remote now USB-C, as death knell tolls for Lightning

The Siri Remote has gained a USB-C port alongside the Apple TV 4K upgrade, signaling the beginning of Apple's departure from Lightning.

In addition to USB-C on the entry-level iPad, Apple snuck in a small but significant update to the Siri Remote during its Tuesday press releases. That Siri Remote now also uses a USB-C port for charging rather than Lightning.

There wasn't any reason provided for the change, but rumors suggest Apple will move away from Lightning across all of its products soon. Even the "iPhone 15" due in late 2023 may have USB-C instead of Lightning.

The Siri Remote was among the several holdouts still using the charging technology. Surprisingly, Apple updated the AirPods Pro in September and included Lightning in the Charging Case.

It is clear that the company is in a port transition, and will likely update more products with the universal port with each new release. No other changes were made to the Siri Remote, and it still does not support Find My.

The updated Siri Remote ships with either model of the new Apple TV 4K on November 4. It can also be ordered separately for $59 and will be available starting October 21.

21 Comments

Stabitha_Christie 582 comments · 3 Years

About 2 years ago

PatchyThePirateV.3 said:

Looks like apple might be eating crow on this after all, after saying lightening was the last iPhone port. They’re in a damned if you do damned if you don’t situation right now; usb-c makes sense, especially with government regulation overreach, but I remember people were completely freaking out when they switched to the lightening port, to a strange degree.
I’m looking forward to the day when we get a slimmer, sleeker phone that’s fully wireless.

When did Apple say Lightening would be the last iPhone port?

Japhey 1772 comments · 6 Years

About 2 years ago

We shouldn’t have to plug the remote in, at all. At this point, in 2022, the Siri Remote should support wireless charging. Period.

payeco 581 comments · 17 Years

About 2 years ago

PatchyThePirateV.3 said:

Looks like apple might be eating crow on this after all, after saying lightening was the last iPhone port. They’re in a damned if you do damned if you don’t situation right now; usb-c makes sense, especially with government regulation overreach, but I remember people were completely freaking out when they switched to the lightening port, to a strange degree.
I’m looking forward to the day when we get a slimmer, sleeker phone that’s fully wireless.

Apple never said this. Go back and rewatch the keynote where they introduced it. They said Lightning was the connector for the next decade. It’s been a decade since it was released. Sounds to me like it’s being replaced right on schedule.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82dwZYw2M00&t=26m11s

hmlongco 586 comments · 9 Years

About 2 years ago

Japhey said:

We shouldn’t have to plug the remote in, at all. At this point, in 2022, the Siri Remote should support wireless charging. Period.

Not sure how they'ed do that without a big redesign. That aluminum enclosure pretty much eliminates wireless charging.

MustSeeUHDTV 309 comments · 7 Years

About 2 years ago

Japhey said:

We shouldn’t have to plug the remote in, at all. At this point, in 2022, the Siri Remote should support wireless charging. Period.

Agreed. Unless that is the way to get the firmware update. My remote still has not been updated to the latest version.