DigiTimes Vaguely Says 2019 iPhones Are 'Likely to Support USB-C'

[Reason077]

Cables will be irrelevant.

I dunno. Wireless charging is nice, but is it weird that I sometimes want to charge and use my device at the same time? This isn't practical to do with wireless.

Also, Wireless charging works for small devices like phones. But I don't see anyone doing it for bigger ones like laptops yet. When will I be able to wirelessly charge my MacBook?

 

[FrenchRoasted]

But if they get rid of the lightning port all those lightning earbuds and even the adapter that comes with current phones will become useless.

If only there was some universal port for headphones that would have allowed for consistency over all these years...

Well played, sir.

 

[Khedron]

I don't know why people associate lightning with reliability. The only cables in the world that fall apart faster than Apple lightning cables are Apple earpods.

iPhone with lightning is also the only phone I've ever had that thought it was safer for me to have no form of communication in the middle of my travels than risk charging when it couldn't be sure that my (official) lightning cable wasn't 3rd party.

 

[Iconoclysm]

Apple should have dumped the lightning port for USB-C in 2016 with the iPhone 7. That would have been 'courage' - removing a proprietary port and embracing an open standard for both data, charging and a headphone standard.

Yes, the should dump it soon. But I think they're trying to make sure it is used at least as long as the old 30 pin. It's going to cause some serious outrage among regular users who don't get why this technology is so much better.

 

[notabadname]

I prefer the lighting connector. It is so durable with a positive “click” engagement. It’s smaller. Agree with another poster on here that USB-C can become a sloppy fit over time. Just give us USB-C to Lightning.

 

[Iconoclysm]

I don't know why people associate lightning with reliability. The only cables in the world that fall apart faster than Apple lightning cables are Apple earpods.

iPhone with lightning is also the only phone I've ever had that thought it was safer for me to have no form of communication in the middle of my travels than risk charging when it couldn't be sure that my (official) lightning cable wasn't 3rd party.

It's not the lightning part of the cable that falls apart - it's that rubbery casing. It doesn't like temperature changes and gets stiff over time then cracks.
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I prefer the lighting connector. It is so durable with a positive “click” engagement. It’s smaller. Agree with another poster on here that USB-C can become a sloppy fit over time. Just give us USB-C to Lightning.

Lightning absolutely has to go away. Everything is going to be USB C, and it can do everything Lightning can. There was a reason 30 pin was better than mini and micro USB, and a reason why Apple had a large hand in creating USB C.

 

[jonnysods]

They will do USB-C to lightning. No way they are missing out on that coin.

They will call it Lightning 2 and it was be faster.

 

[alphaod]

It's as likely as Samsung going to admit to copying the iPhone in open court.

 

[Smartass]

How much do they make relative to their business? Spoiler: It’s peanuts to Apple.

peanuts on peanuts on peanuts = a lot of fat

 

[Baymowe335]

peanuts on peanuts on peanuts = a lot of fat

The point is they probably have other reasons for keeping lightning than making money on adapters.

 

[vjl323]

Something I think people tend to forget about: Lightning was released on September 12, 2012 and Apple stated very publicly that they were committed to using this cable for the next 10 years. This gave accessory makers assurance they could switch from the 30-ping to the lightning connector and not have to worry about a new kind of plug debuting for another 10 years.

 

[ignatius345]

Finally! (If it's true that is)

Yeah, thank god. I really need to spend more money on cables and adapters and docks, which is great -- but also I've really been hoping for a larger connector. Lightning is so damned small, and I really want a bigger hole in the bottom of my phone. Oh, and did I mention wanting to be able to finally throw all that stuff into landfill? I get a huge kick out of that!

 

[jimsong]

Good. I could charge my computer and phone with the same USB-C to USB-C cable and charger. Fewer cable and charger types to carry around.

Basically, for people who want to use a USB-C to USB-C cable for everything, this would be a great change. If that's not you, then I can see why you wouldn't like it.

 

[User 6502]

Hopefully not. Lightening is a more compact and more robust connector, there is no reason to switch to an inferior standard.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

In rumors like this, I opt for one simple filter that seems to show the way almost every time: think about the money. Does Apple make more money clinging to a proprietary jack or adopting a standardized jack? With (especially the) modern Apple, it's always about the money. I actually think money trumps even "thinner" now.

If there is going to be a change to the jack, I'd put my bets on a "thinner" Lightning 2 over USB3C... be slow about approving licenses to third parties so that only I have supply for upwards of months after rollout (a well-proven strategy)... then count the bonus dollars as everybody eventually rebuys the same old stuff with the new jack and licensees have to pay up for new licenses again.

 

[Doomtomb]

While I think this would be an awesome decision, the credibility of this rumor is dubious

 

[tooloud10]

Lightning is maybe slightly superior for mobile on the basis of it's slightly smaller size. But the advantages of every device using the same plug cannot be overstated. Everyone's chargers, cables, devices, etc would all be interoperable.

I'd almost like to agree with that last sentence, but honestly it's significantly easier for me to find a Lightning cable out in the wild than a USB-C cable.

For that matter, everyone knows what I mean when I ask for a "Lightning" cable, but if I asked for a USB-C cable most people I know would respond with "You mean the new kind?"

 

[Rum_Becker]

I use to bust Apples balls for not using USB C, but after using USB C with a couple of Android phones I would have to say lightning is way more durable. On paper USB C is great but in practice lightning is superior, I wish Android used lightning.

 

[ksec]

Sigh..... USB-C is a bloody mess..... especially when you have many IC vendor cost cutting in every possible way along with software that is idiotic and doesn't work properly, making it possible to over power and burn some devices.

And yet three page in I already see many post going for it.....

I don't mind Apple using USB-C, but it has to be certified for iPhone. Like MFi.

Although I highly doubt they are changing the port from Lighting to USB-C. They just released a newer & cheaper USB-C to Lighting Cable along with new 30W USB-C Wall Charger with iOS devices description. Meaning most likely we see USB-C to Lighting cable as default rather then actually ditching lighting.

 

[tooloud10]

Consider yourself lucky. I find that my lightning cables regularly wear out after a year or so. The one I currently have in my car now fairly regularly results in a popup on my phone that says "This accessory may not be supported" or some such thing. I have to unplug the cable, turn it around, and plug it back in to hopefully get my phone charging once again. (And yes, I fairly regularly check to make sure there's no lint or other crud in the lightning port).

Not sure I've ever had that problem with a genuine Apple or MFi cable. Happens all the time with generics, though.

 

[Jizzanthapuss]

Has anyone ever thought of how much more sense it makes to put the port at the top of the phone?

 

[adamski23]

If only if usb-c could be as snug and "clicky" as lightning. For iphones I prefer lightning.

 

[44267547]

Hopefully not. Lightening is a more compact and more robust connector, there is no reason to switch to an inferior standard.

Agree with your points. I also think the lightning port keeps those tethered into iOS/Apples ecosystem with the AirPods, iPad, iPod and iPhone all use lightning. The lightning port is a huge investment for Apple in so many ways and it’s a small monopoly for this company.

 

[dwsolberg]

There's just no way. Lightning is smaller and much more durable, and Apple makes a ton of cash from all the accessories. I have usb-c ports on my MBP, and lots of cables are loose and twitchy. The only issue with lightning is the lint, but that's pretty easy to fix.

The next change is no port at all - magnetic charging and bluetooth headphones.

Edit: The only change might be to make the power connector end usb-c in the box, but that's just changing the default charger.

 

[chagla]

It's Apple, why would they adopt a standard? I highly doubt this. Even if they do, I'm pretty sure they will artificially limit it, just like bluetooth and nfc.