Other How much longer will iPhones have physical ports/buttons?

[CT30]

https://9to5mac.com/2018/06/21/remove-physical-ports-iphone-poll/

I've seen articles like this around the internet fairly recently. Do you think iPhones will go all glass like speculation says or will they keep physical buttons/ports for the foreseeable future?

Removing the headphone jack years ago wasn't a decision I agreed with, but with Lightning earpods it was a minor thing I got over quickly. However, I don't have great wifi where I live so I like the ability to physically connect my iPhone 6 to my PC.

This could determine whether or not I upgrade this year. If the iPhones just released are the last lineup that I'll be able to physically connect to my computer then I'll probably get the XS soon. However, if removing physical ports is just a rumor at this point or way in the future (i.e. at least 2019 will still have iPhones with these features and it won't be until 2020 or beyond that iPhones go 'all glass' as some say) then I will keep my iPhone 6 and wait until 2019 to upgrade.


Thanks for your help everyone. This is my first post here.

 

[charlituna]

lightweights. now that Apple is able to get their stuff FDA approved their next move is going to be embedded. slip on your display contacts, speakers embedded in the bones behind your ears, mic in a groovy lip piercing that comes in space gray, silver, gold, rose gold etc. tiny embedded sensors in your fingers detect movement for controlling your phone. memory etc are all embedded in the watch on your wrist. and since you don't need the face to be a display they are going to put in a solar sensor to continuously recharge the battery and be eco friendly

 

[Jimmy James]

lightweights. now that Apple is able to get their stuff FDA approved their next move is going to be embedded. slip on your display contacts, speakers embedded in the bones behind your ears, mic in a groovy lip piercing that comes in space gray, silver, gold, rose gold etc. tiny embedded sensors in your fingers detect movement for controlling your phone. memory etc are all embedded in the watch on your wrist. and since you don't need the face to be a display they are going to put in a solar sensor to continuously recharge the battery and be eco friendly

^ This is what the masses want. Three device generations and they’ll still declare they’re “bored”.

 

[CT30]

Based on my situation/concern, should I wait a year to get next year's phone (my iPhone 6 still works well) or get the 10S now?

 

[FFR]

Based on my situation/concern, should I wait a year to get next year's phone (my iPhone 6 still works well) or get the 10S now?

Well the longer you wait the more you the 6 will lose value, it’s been 4 years.

5g won’t be coming to iPhone next year.
Each Us carrier has distinct 5g bands so it’s going to take a while to get a modem that can work with all three, that and thermal issues related to 5g components in a smartphone.

 

[CT30]

Well the longer you wait the more you the 6 will lose value, it’s been 4 years.

5g won’t be coming to iPhone next year.
Each Us carrier has distinct 5g bands so it’s going to take a while to get a modem that can work with all three, that and thermal issues related to 5g components in a smartphone.

I appreciate your response, but I was asking in reference to how much longer it might be before Apple switches to iPhones with no way to physically connect to a computer like a number of articles said they are thinking about doing.

In other words, will the switch be made for 2019's iPhones (I should get the 10S now) or will it be a few more years down the road (in which case I'll keep my 6 for one more year)?

 

[FFR]

I appreciate your response, but I was asking in reference to how much longer it might be before Apple switches to iPhones with no way to physically connect to a computer like a number of articles said they are thinking about doing.

In other words, will the switch be made for 2019's iPhones (I should get the 10S now) or will it be a few more years down the road (in which case I'll keep my 6 for one more year)?

Well you no longer need iTunes to setup or maintain an iPhone. iCloud and Apple Music have supplemented iTunes.

If you still want to use iTunes you no longer are required to use a cable, iTunes on the computer can sync the iPhone over WiFi.


If your asking when Apple is going to ditch the physical lighting port., I think that is a 3-4 years away at the earliest, but this is pure speculation on my part.

The port is primarily used to charge the device, so until wireless charging evolves to the point where it can match or surpass usb c-pd charging its anyone’s guess.

Hope this helps.

 

[CT30]

Well you no longer need iTunes to setup or maintain an iPhone. iCloud and Apple Music have supplemented iTunes.

If you still want to use iTunes you no longer are required to use a cable, iTunes on the computer can sync the iPhone over WiFi.


If your asking when Apple is going to ditch the physical lighting port., I think that is a 3-4 years away at the earliest, but this is pure speculation on my part.

The port is primarily used to charge the device, so until wireless charging evolves to the point where it can match or surpass usb c-pd charging its anyone’s guess.

Hope this helps.

Thank you.

Unfortunately I don't have super great wi-fi where I'm at. It's good enough I suppose, but it could be better.
I'm kind of old fashioned in this regard, I still use iTunes to maintain my iPhone (and I'm not subscribed to Apple Music yet).

I also don't want to sync my entire iTunes library on my computer to my iPhone (Apple support article said your entire iTunes library gets synced when you do it over wifi).

 

[FFR]

Thank you.

Unfortunately I don't have super great wi-fi where I'm at. It's good enough I suppose, but it could be better.
I'm kind of old fashioned in this regard, I still use iTunes to maintain my iPhone (and I'm not subscribed to Apple Music yet).

I also don't want to sync my entire iTunes library on my computer to my iPhone (Apple support article said your entire iTunes library gets synced when you do it over wifi).

I still use ITunes to preform iTunes encrypted backup, so I’m right there with you.

Syncing over WiFi Just replaces the cable you can still pick and choose what to sync over to your iPhone. But both your computer and iPhone have to be on the same network.
Depending on your computer and iPhone , it can be actually faster or slower than a wired connection.

You should look at iTunes Match. It uploads your entire iTunes music library to the cloud, playlists and all, and is easier to consume on all your iOS devices, you should look at that before Apple Music.

Cheers

 

[Caspavio]

I would say the ports and buttons will be there for some time. Yes you have wireless charging, but unless it comes with the iphone, i would say a significant portion of people will not have it. airpower is also nowhere in sight, so if apple removes all ports now, they are profiting other companies. another point wireless charging will be a big hassle on the go.

So no. not anytime soon.