Bloomberg Confirms Apple is Testing iPhones With USB-C Ports

[ApplesAreSweet&Sour]

Type-C is excellent. I have not had a single Type-C cable fail for either the iPad Pro or any MacBook Pro.

But we have been through scores of Lightning cables. The copper connectors are exposed at the end, which makes them very likely to wear out or get scratched.

It feels like Lightning was engineered this way to walk the thin line between reliability and maximizing profits. ?

Same here.

Most of our Lightning cables have survived for years, a few have died.

All of our (many) USB-C cables have survived for years, none have died.

Absolutely anecdotal, but I still believe your average Lightning cable and connector wears out faster than your average USB-C cable.

 

[mrat93]

I think what they're referring to is the physical connector portion that goes into your phone, not the cable itself. The lightning connector clicks into the iPhone and sits quite securely. I've yet to use USB-C on a phone, but if it is anything like on the PCs I've used, they tend to be wobbly and feel fairly loose when connected.

When it comes to cable strength they certainly do have a lot of room for improvement.

Yeah that’s exactly what I was saying with the second half of my post. Two different issues, but counters the argument that Apple sticks with Lightning for durability and environmental purposes.

I’ve thrown away so many flimsy Apple Lightning cables that started fraying, whereas I’ve kept third party Lightning cables for years without issue. The longer they stick with Lightning, the more waste they create in the long run.

 

[jakey rolling]

This should have happened years ago. And it should happen because USB-C is fundamentally better than lightning — more reliable, faster charging, interoperable. It shouldn’t require, or be based upon, government regulation to get this done.

That bold word. That is the reason it hasn't happened. Apple doesn't want interoperable, they want royalties.

 

[jakey rolling]

You’ve not seen a phone with usb-c? Seriously? Samsung has been using it for YEARS….
And loose? Literally have never seen that.

I had what seemed like a loose USB-C connector on an older Samsung phone, and thought the connector had broken or worn out. Went to get a repair quote and found that there was just lint build up preventing the cable from being fully inserted. Guy gave it a good quick cleaning and it's been solid ever since.

Other than that, I've never seen a "loose" USB-C connection on a PC or phone.

 

[Skyscraperfan]

Apple is still the own smartphone manufacturer who uses its own plug. Does it have any advantage for the customer?

 

[Oscar_440]

iPad Pro 2021 - USB-C
iPhone 2022 - Lighting

are they smoking crack or what?

Nope… they are just selling more and more, whatever it sells (unfortunately)

 

[LittleKitty283]

It's crazy USB-C wasn't added for the iPhone 13, let alone 14. I find it difficult to believe the delay is a technical/engineering issue.

 

[nastysailboat]

Lightning is a bad port. It's unreliable. There is no reason for it to exist.

As unreliable as usb c?

 

[nastysailboat]

The build on usbc is trash

 

[jakey rolling]

The build on usbc is trash

Sucks to be an Apple user then, considering that is the most prevalent port on all of their computers.

 

[deevey]

USB-C has internal clips that hold the cable and connector together when its plugged in. Its very much the same as lightning in that regard.

This will probably end up being the Betamax vs VHS situation where there are technical benefits to the former that are completely obliterated by the ubiquity of the latter.

Alot of manufacturers USB-C ports use a plastic strip which holds the connectors, unreliable and can break due to aging, humidity, foreign objects etc.

Lightning has the connectors surrounding the the outside or the port and a rigid metal connector making it an extremely durable, but is only ever going to be as reliable as the cable.

However, Apple use a metal frame for their USB-C connectors so should be just as reliable and have almost the same strength as lightning. Most Issues are going to be with the cables rather than the port.

 

[nquinn]

Would be nice but I guess I just don't care about this as much as everyone else. Lightning works pretty well.

Things I really want to see in future iPhones:

- more affordable iCloud storage. 5gb starting is a joke, and the gap between 200gb ($3/mo) and 2tb ($10/mo) is way too large. 2-3 phone backups (128gb) could break 200gb, and at that point you'd need to spend $10/mo. Who doesn't have more than 2 phones worth of photos at this point in 2022? Would be nice to see cheaper pricing in the 500gb - 1tb ranges.

Suggested pricing:

• 100gb - FREE - to cover first iPhone
• 500gb - $2/mo - to cover roughly 3 full backups of photos/misc app data. Actual real use case for most people.
• 1tb - $4/month - not that far off the .50/tb pricing of the 2tb plan now
• 2tb - $8/month
• If you ever start considering iCloud for macOS backups it could get way expensive though. Other backup solutions are more affordable (backblaze b2, etc), but they aren't meant for real-time access, just backup with emergency retrieval.

- high accuracy GPS to help in dense urban environments (https://medium.com/@importanttech/w...nd-found-some-surprising-results-b9ec35873e2e)
- more mini models
- longer battery life
- wi-fi 6e would be nice but not that important

 

[bluespark]

I’m curious how iPad users have liked or disliked type-C as a physical connector (ignoring speeds, features, etc.).

Some comment they don’t like the physical connector.

How have iPad users held up? Would you want to go back to Lightning?

I haven't heard anyone say they don't like the physical connection to the iPad. I own two USB-C iPads and the connection is every bit as good as Lightning. Wouldn't change a thing with the port.

 

[jakey rolling]

I’ve thrown away so many flimsy Apple Lightning cables that started fraying, whereas I’ve kept third party Lightning cables for years without issue. The longer they stick with Lightning, the more waste they create in the long run.

We have both Android and iPhones in my household (USB-C and Lightning cables, respectively) and still have a few other devices (1st Gen Logitech MX Master mouse and a Jabra headset) that use Micro-USB to charge. By far, the Lightning cables have the highest failure rate.

 

[noone]

You’ve not seen a phone with usb-c? Seriously? Samsung has been using it for YEARS….

And loose? Literally have never seen that.

I've only used an iPhone since 2007, so no. I've never used a phone with a USB-C port.

Every device I've had with a USB-C connection has always had an unsettling amount of wobble in the connection, something that isn't present with the lightning cable. I'm not defending them keeping lighting around at this point, but from my experience, it feels like a more solid connection.

 

[RigSatMe]

Just remove charging port all! It’s outdated nowadays and release Wi-Fi charging!

 

[SactoGuy18]

Personally, I still think Apple has decided to keep Lightning (but up the transfer speed to USB 3.0 5 Gb/sec.) on the regular iPhone 14 (which will use the A15 SoC from the iPhone 13 Pro) but switch to USB Type C (with Thunderbolt 3/USB 3.1 transfer speed of 10 Gb/sec.) on the iPhone 14 Pro (which will use the A16 SoC that supports the faster Thunderbolt/USB speeds).

 

[Haiku_Oezu]

Disappointed it’s not happening with the 14 but also a little happy I can safely skip this year’s iPhone

The 13 has been excellent for me anyway, unlike the 12 whose battery imploded and lost almost 20% capacity in a year somehow ?

 

[SactoGuy18]

We have both Android and iPhones in my household (USB-C and Lightning cables, respectively) and still have a few other devices (1st Gen Logitech MX Master mouse and a Jabra headset) that use Micro-USB to charge. By far, the Lightning cables have the highest failure rate.

If you're talking Apple's own cables, i definitely agree. But I spent the extra money to get Anker Powerline II USB-A to Lightning cables and even after three years, so far so good!

 

[Sasquatch420]

Apple is indeed testing iPhones that are equipped with USB-C ports instead of Lightning ports, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Apple does not plan to make the switch from Lightning to USB-C until 2023 at the earliest, with this year's iPhones continuing to offer a Lightning port.

We first heard about a potential swap to USB-C from Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who earlier this week said that Apple was planning to abandon the Lightning port in favor of a USB-C port in the 2023 iPhone 15 models.

There have been endless rumors about Apple adopting USB-C ports over the years, especially after Apple started using USB-C for the iPad lineup, but so far, Apple has stuck with Lightning for the iPhone.

Apple may be planning to swap because of legal requirements that could be implemented in Europe. The European Union is working on legislation that would require Apple to use USB-C technology across its product lineup, on iPhones, iPads, and AirPods.

All devices sold in Europe would need to have a universal USB-C port should the legislation be passed, so Apple would need to ship special USB-C iPhone models in Europe or simply make the swap to Lightning worldwide.

USB-C ports would allow for faster charging speeds and quicker data transfers, plus it would bring the iPhone in line with the Mac and iPad models that already use USB-C.

If Apple does transition to USB-C, Gurman says that the company will come out with an adapter that would let USB-C iPhones connect to accessories that have Lightning ports.

Article Link: Bloomberg Confirms Apple is Testing iPhones With USB-C Ports

Well I now know I will not be buying an iPhone this year. Need date speed more then removing a screen cut out removed.

 

[nastysailboat]

Sucks to be an Apple user then, considering that is the most prevalent port on all of their computers.

Doesn’t suck for apple it sucks for the consumer we’re forced to use this garbage. A male cable end is much better

 

[LV426]

Type-C is excellent. I have not had a single Type-C cable fail for either the iPad Pro or any MacBook Pro.

But we have been through scores of Lightning cables. The copper connectors are exposed at the end, which makes them very likely to wear out or get scratched.

It feels like Lightning was engineered this way to walk the thin line between reliability and maximizing profits. ?

Doesn't a proper Lightning cable have gold contacts?

In respect of USB-C cable failure, I plugged a cable from my monitor to my MacBook Pro every day for about three years. It started to become quite unreliable as the cable loosened over time. A replacement cable fixed the problem.

 

[ApplesAreSweet&Sour]

Quite odd that Apple didn't opt for Lightning for its most demanding devices or come out with another new proprietary port for all its desktop and laptop computers.. and iPads Air and Pro..hmm

Almost as if USB-C is, roughly speaking, as good as Lightning just capable of faster charging and data transfer.

But I'm sure someone forced Apple to use USB-C on MacBooks, iPads, desktop Macs, etc. because there's no way they'd willingly, in all their altruistic wisdom, opt for anything but the superior Lightning.

And it absolutely couldn't be the case that iPhones make up the majority Apple's revenue in terms of hardware sales and Apple makes a ******** in royalties alone without having to do anything but collect its MFi "tax" from accessory manufacturers. Definitely not that.

/s

 

[mrat93]

We have both Android and iPhones in my household (USB-C and Lightning cables, respectively) and still have a few other devices (1st Gen Logitech MX Master mouse and a Jabra headset) that use Micro-USB to charge. By far, the Lightning cables have the highest failure rate.

I think another aspect is the number of USB-C and micro USB cables out there already.

Imagine if Apple stuck to USB standards through the years. Once iPhone goes USB-C, I bet we’ll see accessory makers stop putting charging cables in their boxes. The number of unused, crappy micro and USB-C cables I have that came with accessories is high, and wasteful.

 

[mrat93]

Quite odd that Apple didn't opt for Lightning for its most demanding devices or come out with another new proprietary port for all its desktop and laptop computers.. and iPads Air and Pro..hmm

Almost as if USB-C is, roughly speaking, as good as Lightning just capable of faster charging and data transfer.

But I'm sure someone forced Apple to use USB-C on MacBooks, iPads, desktop Macs, etc. because there's no way they'd willingly, in all their altruistic wisdom, opt for anything but the superior Lightning.

And it absolutely couldn't be the case that iPhones make up the majority Apple's revenue in terms of hardware sales and Apple makes a ******** in royalties alone without having to do anything but collect its MFi "tax" from accessory manufacturers. Definitely not that.

/s

Nailed it.