It’s been rumored for a while that Apple will eventually drop the beloved Lightning port on the iPhone and move to USB-C. Many Apple devices have already made the switch to USB-C but the iPhone has fallen behind. As time goes on, it seems more and more likely that we’ll wind up with a USB-C iPhone. However, is this something that consumers want?
USB-C iPhone is mandatory in the EU
This topic was brought up frequently after the European Union made a decision that USBC-iPhones would be mandatory from 2024. The United States could follow suit, aiming to agree on a “common charging port” for consumers. The regulations come as politicians demand tech companies standardize a charging cable to reduce environmental waste and reduce costs for the consumer. However, Apple hit back, saying that a common charging cable would stifle innovation and only increase environmental waste.
Lightning, “The Modern Connector for the Next Decade”
Ten years ago, Apple exec Phil Schiller announced the Lightning cable and called it “the modern connector of the next decade.” The lightning port has been released with the iPhone 5 since then. However, speculation is that Lightning will be retired soon as USB-C will become the next charging port on iPhones.
When can we expect to see a USB-C iPhone?
The first ever USB-C iPhone is expected to be the iPhone 15, expected to be launched in the fall of 2023 as an Analyzer Ming Chi Kuo Expect.
My latest survey suggests that the new 2H23 iPhone will ditch the Lightning port and switch to a USB-C port. USB-C could improve the iPhone’s transfer and charging speed in hardware designs, but the final specification details still depend on iOS support.
While Apple will take the step soon, Kuo suggests that USB-C may not be around for long on iPhones.
We are expected to see existing suppliers associated with USB-C for Apple’s ecosystem (eg controller IC, connector) become the focus of the market in the next couple of years, thanks to large orders of iPhones and accessories based on USB-C ports.
His proposal begs the question of what happens next: Could Apple be portless after USB-C?
Can the iPhone be barrierless?
It is clear that a fully wireless iPhone may arrive in a few years. Many users of the iPhone 12 and 13 lineup charge wirelessly with the addition of MagSafe chargers for iPhones. However, this is not the preferred result for all users. For those who use their iPhone to take photos and videos, a wired connection is still the preferred method. My colleague Ben offers insight into what a wireless iPhone could look like in a few years’ time.
Which one do you prefer?
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