Future iPhones Will Have USB-C Port Instead Of Lightening Charging Port? Apple Is Testing USB-C Because Of This Reason

According to people who are privy to the developments, Apple is currently testing future iPhone models that replace the current Lightning charging port with the more prevalent USB-C connector.

There are looming European regulations which can be dealt with such a move.

Apple & Adapters

On the condition of anonymity, people privy to the developments said that currently Apple is also working on an adapter that would let future iPhones work with accessories designed for the current Lightning connector.

This will take until 2023, at the very least.

For this year’s new models, the company is also planning to retain the Lightning connector.

Apple would streamline the collection of chargers used by its various devices, by moving to USB-C.

Rather than Lightning, most of the company’s iPads and Macs already rely on USB-C. Given the Apple’s penchant for simplicity, it is quite contrary, as it means that Apple customers can’t use a single charger for their iPhone, iPads and Macs.

Wireless chargers for both the iPhone and Apple Watch also use a USB-C connector for their power bricks.

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicted that the move could come with trade-offs, eventually creating confusion for the customers.

Lightning connector are relatively smaller than the USB-C chargers, however, the latter offer quicker charging speeds and data transfers.

Various non-Apple devices, like Android phones and tablets will also be compatible with the new connectors.

Lightning is still used by various Apple accessories like AirPods, the Apple TV remote, the MagSafe battery pack and the MagSafe Duo charger.

The USB-C adapter in development could mitigate that issue, but it’s unclear if Apple would include that in the box or make customers pay extra for it.

Wide range of third-party accessories, such as chargers, car adapters and external microphones use the existing connector and a switch would force the third-party providers to redesign their products.

This shift would lessen Apple’s control over the iPhone accessories marketplace. Apple forces accessory makers to pay it to use the Lightning connector and partake in a stringent approval process. USB-C is a standard used by many consumer device makers, including most Android phone manufacturers, making it less likely that Apple will be able to exert its usual level of control.

Seeking to promote the MagSafe wireless charging system introduced in 2020, Apple also has worked on iPhones without any charging port.

However, the wireless connection is often slower to charge battery, does not sync data, hence not practical in a car setup.

European Union & Its Push For USB-C

In April, the legislation to force phone and other device makers to adopt USB-C was approved by a majority vote.

According to the legislation “Mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones and headsets, handheld video-game consoles and portable speakers, rechargeable via a wired cable, would have to be equipped with a USB Type-C port, regardless of the manufacturer”.

The company said that this law will hurt the company’s ability and innovate and said that “We are concerned that regulation mandating just one type of connector for all devices on the market will harm European consumers by slowing down the introduction of beneficial innovations in charging standards, including those related to safety and energy efficiency”.

While keeping Lightning elsewhere, it is expected that Apple could perhaps conceive a Europe compliant version.

However, having multiple versions of the same iPhone with different connectors comes with its own challenges like confusion to start with and then comes the supply-chain headache.

What is not clear currently is the fact that Apple might ultimately abandon the USB-C switch if the European law fails to materialize. Many consumers have been calling for the change regardless, for the sake of simplicity.

If Apple moves to USB-C, it would then be the second port change in the iPhone’s history.

Apple used the 30-pin iPod connector for its phones starting with the original iPhone in 2007 through the iPhone 4s.

It was with the iPhone 5 that Apple switched to the smaller Lightning port.