Kuo: iPhone 15 to Switch From Lightning to USB-C in 2023

[MacRumors]

Apple will ditch its proprietary Lightning port and switch to USB-C on all or possibly some models of the iPhone 15 lineup destined to launch in the second half of 2023, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said today.

Since the iPhone 5, Apple has kept the Lightning port on the iPhone, despite much of the industry moving to USB-C. In a tweet today, Kuo said that the latest supply chain survey indicates that Apple will ditch Lightning in favor of USB-C in 2023. Kuo noted that USB-C would improve transfer speeds on the iPhone and improve charging speeds.

Kuo had previously said that Apple would be sticking with Lightning on the iPhone for the "foreseeable future," saying that switching to USB-C would be harmful to Apple's MiFi business and has lesser waterproof specification. Now, Apple has reportedly changed its tone. One possible reason for Apple's change in heart is pressure being placed upon it by the EU.

The EU continues to move forward with passing new legislation that would force Apple to adopt USB-C on all iPhones, iPads, and AirPods sold in Europe. Such legislation, if passed, would require Apple to either ship specially designed USB-C equipped models of its products to Europe while keeping the rest of the world stuck with Lightning or adopt USB-C for all of its products globally.

• The EU Wants All Phones to Work With Interoperable Chargers, Here's What That Means for Apple's Lightning Port

Most of Apple's iPad lineup already features USB-C for faster transfer speeds from accessories such as cameras. For photographers and cinematographers, a demographic Apple has been keen to target with its high-end iPhones, the Lightning port represents a bottleneck for transferring large video and photo files. A move to USB-C would ease that workflow, make it easier to transfer files and be supported by a broader ecosystem of USB-C accessories.

Initial speculation was that Apple would keep the Lightning port on the iPhone until it's ready to go entirely port-less, relying simply on MagSafe to charge and transfer files. MagSafe was first introduced on the iPhone with the iPhone 12 in 2020, so it's still a relatively new technology to the iPhone. The pressure being placed by the EU may have forced Apple to reconsider its timeline for moving entirely portless, requiring it to comply with possible upcoming regulations and move the iPhone to USB-C.

Article Link: Kuo: iPhone 15 to Switch From Lightning to USB-C in 2023

 

[steve09090]

It was bound to happen. I’d rather that than going cordless/wireless.

Does this mean other devices (Keyboards, Trackpads, Powerbeats Pro etc) will follow suit? If not, then the EU has just wasted everyones time.

 

[MiloCody]

what to what??? =O

 

[senttoschool]

It was bound to happen. I’d rather that than going cordless/wireless.

Hell no to wireless charging. It'd be a huge environment issue. And wireless charging is less convenient in many ways.

 

[dantracht]

Making me want to keep my 13pm for two years.

 

[MiloCody]

Hell no to wireless charging. It'd be a huge environment issue. And wireless charging is less convenient in many ways.

wireless charging is actually the most convenient.

 

[desslr]

Can’t wait!

 

[steve09090]

wireless charging is actually the most convenient.

Not when travelling.

 

[ps3zocker]

I mean, he also said in 2019 that there would be an entirely wireless iPhone in 2021. Seems like that is further out than expected and they will switch to USB-C because of it. The original plan was likely to keep Lightning until they can get it to be all wireless.

 

[timber]

wireless charging is actually the most convenient.

Nobody prevents you from using you favourite method.
Unlike removing the port which would leave a lot of people unhappy.
But, yes, lots of courage.

It was bound to happen. I’d rather that than going cordless/wireless.

Does this mean other devices (Keyboards, Trackpads, Powerbeats Pro etc) will follow suit? If not, then the EU has just wasted everyones time.

And would we be here without the EU? We will never know. And we don't even know if this will happen. Just a rumour.

 

[jjdodders]

Honestly suprised its taking them this long to implement USB-C... its a bit ridiculous that a pro device with ambitions of 8K video capability won't have USB-C. I'm still anticipating the switch this year tbh.

 

[xxray]

I’ll believe it when I see it. Apple makes too much money off their proprietary lightning port to give it up unless they’re worried about antitrust laws.

 

[Rob__Mac]

Recently, doing a bit of video work with two iPhone 13 Pro's (iPhone's 13 Pro?), using ProRes - getting the footage off the phones was an absolute nightmare. USB 2.0 speeds over lightning… I would like to see this being a Thunderbolt 4 port, on the pro model at least.

 

[elvislives]

Apple welcome to 2015.... we have been waiting.

 

[Sir Ruben]

lol unlucky Apple. So much for 'Apple will switch to completely wireless charging before this happens'.

 

[biffuz]

Great, now I have to throw away all those Lightning cables I collected over the years!

Just kidding, I still have some 30 pins somewhere... along with serial and parallel cables...

 

[Berti10]

Now Phil Schiller is right when he said, „it will be the connector for the next decade“ in 2012

 

[falkon-engine]

It’s about damn time finally just 1 cable to charge devices when traveling (except for Apple Watch I don’t mind having a separate cable for that).

Also usb2 speeds via lightning on a pro device with prores is just terrible. Hopefully apple implements a usb4/tb4 20 or 40 gbps solution on the pro iPhones with usb-c.

 

[icymountain]

Making me want to keep my 13pm for two years.

Same !
Except that I am on an almost brand new looking 6s, with recently replaced battery (last year). It should be all good until end 2023 or early 2024 so all is good.

 

[44267547]

wireless charging is actually the most convenient.

It really isn’t.

Wireless Charging requires direct placement in order to properly charge, and I find it’s inconsistent at times, Especially when it moves around in the car due to motion.

And I’m also not entirely comfortable with how warm my iPhone is when it is wireless charging, which can’t be healthy for the Li-ion battery.

 

[jayducharme]

If true, that’s really good news. Wireless charging is one thing, but fast data transfer over USB-C trumps any convenience a solely-wireless iPhone would offer.

 

[wikiverse]

I mean, he also said in 2019 that there would be an entirely wireless iPhone in 2021.

Technically Apple did introduce an entirely wireless iPhone in 2021 with magsafe charging, OTA software updates, eSim, and airpods. You would be surprised how many people never actually plug their phone into anything from the day they buy it.

 

[NastyMatt]

I can not wait! My iPhone is the only device I have left which uses the lightning connector. I don't even have a preference on the connector.. just standardise on one... how hard is that?!!? Pick one.. go with it across all devices.

 

[alpi123]

He said that every year for the past 3-4 years

He will get it correct someday.

 

[ian87w]

Oh expect heavy push on MagSafe accessories this year then, so by the time Apple had to do this, most consumers are already locked into giving money to Apple via Magsafe accessories.

And for some users who have been collecting various lightning based cables/accessories, might be good idea to just get the 14 before preparing to re-buy cables/accessories.