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

[russell_314]

Unfortunately I feel like it's part and parcel of Tim Cook's Apple. They used to be proud to put the latest technologies into the iPhone where it mattered, like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, they were on the forefront of the best display tech with Retina, even Lightning was an amazing connector when it came out & for the next few years. After 2012 well... It took a long time for iPhone to switch to OLED compared to it's competitors, now we hear the same song with USB-C, they still haven't put Wi-Fi 6E inside their flagship, the software quality isn't what it used to be... The difference is striking if you've been using Apple products for more than a decade.

I've only used Apple products since maybe 2005 (? I'd have to look it up) but Apple has played it safe with newer tech since I can remember. When 3G came out Apple didn't have it. Same with 4G and 5G. Fast charging... No, Adobe Flash... Nope OLED... Nope not Apple. 120 Hz... No again. When Google was putting RADAR in their phones Apple didn't have it. If you want the latest thing Apple isn't going to be there. I actually like this about Apple because I know what they do put out will actually work and is tested.

 

[Basic75]

I would have bought a USB-C iPhone this year, but if they stick to Lightning my current phone should be able to limp along until 2023.

 

[russell_314]

The reason why I say this is because Apple already includes the 1 meter USB Type C to USB Type C cable with the iPad Pro models. They'll just increase production from authorized suppliers to support the iPhone 14 Pro models.

I understand what you mean but I don't think if they were going to change the Pro they would keep the regular the same. I think just due to all the govt mess they will just go with USB-C to avoid problems.

Other than having to buy a bunch of new cables and toss out the old ones it's not a problem for me. It's going to be an environmental issue with tons of new e-waste but if it makes some people happy I guess it's worth it.

 

[frifra]

What a prediction!

Maybe all models, maybe not.

I also predict that. Ohh and maybe 2024 or maybe 2025.

 

[SactoGuy18]

I understand what you mean but I don't think if they were going to change the Pro they would keep the regular the same. I think just due to all the govt mess they will just go with USB-C to avoid problems.

Other than having to buy a bunch of new cables and toss out the old ones it's not a problem for me. It's going to be an environmental issue with tons of new e-waste but if it makes some people happy I guess it's worth it.

Fortunately, USB-C chargers aren't the silly expensive devices of the past. You can get a good 20W USB-C charger, including Apple's own, for under US$20 nowadays.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

I'm in the camp of it's a good thing sometimes but lets not force it. Let the consumer decide. If USB-C is really an important thing then Apple will see this in lost sales to USB-C phones.

I generally agree... EXCEPT the key is setting up a situation where the consumer can decide. If the most wonderful-est ever, magical phone consumers want only comes with a proprietary connection, there is no decision to be made there. If they want the many benefits of THAT phone, they must embrace that proprietary connection... whether they want that connection type or not.

If Apple rolled out BOTH options- same phone with either a Lightning or a USBc connector- at the same price and otherwise with all of the same features & benefits, then consumers could decide... and I suspect many would choose the USBc version.

The problem with that "let Apple lose money to learn" argument is that phone choosers who might be smart enough about this topic to actually want to teach Apple their preference about this would have to forgo many other benefits of iPhone to do so. Thus, some who may really want an iPhone with USB-C may buy an iPhone anyway because they want "the rest" more than they want to "vote with their wallet" to try to bring Apple around. If so, Apple never really sees the want that way and instead assumes that all decisions they've made are right because more and more iPhones are purchased each year.

An interesting idea would be in flipping this around. Suppose this EU mandate or just momentum (or Apple's own internal planning schedule) leads to iPhones rolling out with only USB-C connections. How many iPhone buyers opt to NOT buy iPhone anymore because now it uses that USB-C jack instead of Lightning? If sales go down because of this change, the "consumer decide" effect shows itself over this perhaps most obvious change. However, if sales go up, the whole assumption that a consumer will make a buy-don't buy decision on this one issue falls apart. If we imagine that scenario, it should be hard for even the most passionate fan to forecast a sales plunge because Apple embraces USB-C. A few may say they won't buy the next iPhone if it happens but I bet that's the plan anyway because the iPhone they have now is good enough for another cycle or two. However, when it comes time for a new phone, I doubt just about any of them jump ship over the connector.

Generally, "we" are against right now because Apple has phones to sell right now that don't have it. Same with NFC payments before Apple Pay. Same with phablet-sized screens while Apple still clung to 4" as "perfection." As soon as Apple switches- whether they are "forced" or do so voluntarily- the passionate support of Lightning will evaporate overnight... just as anti-NFC and anti-phablet sentiment did before Apple shifted to those. Firewire was once Apple's special connector. 30-pin was once Apple's proprietary connector. There's little to no (connector) love lost in the change after Apple makes it.

 

[ian87w]

You just trying to negate what is going to happen. USB-C is jus a port and is capable of handling lots of different things - bit what Apple is going to implement is the same they already implement with the iPad.

Further more - Lightning will be scrapped. It will also vanish from keyboards, trackpads and everything else - it is dead …

Errr... not sure what's the point of your comment. Not negating everything other than pointing out a common misconception. But whatever, ciao.

 

[1885507]

if you know Apple, you know control. Apple wants to always remain in control So I see them sticking with lightning for a long time. Maybe a small adapter like they did with mini-B USB but I still don’t see them moving away from lightning anytime soon.

Plus, given the mess that is USB-C, I would sooner see Apple switching to an all-wireless solution than another cable standard.

 

[jz0309]

Long overdue…

 

[bgraham]

Finally. Maybe you'll actually be able to export your ProRes 4K Video from the iPhone at a relatively fast speed one day !

 

[mikethemartian]

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

I’m probably going to start shifting to wireless charging only because I’m tired of replacing frayed Lightning cables.

 

[Oscar_440]

I’m probably going to start shifting to wireless charging only because I’m tired of replacing frayed Lightning cables.

So maybe my almost 6 years old lighning cable is made of gold, because is still working.

 

[kyleh22]

Guess i need to get another 1.5 years out of my phone.

 

[thejoshuabradshaw]

Make it Thunderbolt 4 as an F-u to the EU.

 

[thebeans]

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

Booooo….booooo…….USB-C sucks goat dicks in hell thirteen for a dozen.

 

[thebeans]

wireless charging is actually the most convenient.

No, it is not. You are mistaken

 

[AndiG]

if you know Apple, you know control. Apple wants to always remain in control So I see them sticking with lightning for a long time. Maybe a small adapter like they did with mini-B USB but I still don’t see them moving away from lightning anytime soon.

Plus, given the mess that is USB-C, I would sooner see Apple switching to an all-wireless solution than another cable standard.

EU regulation says that every electronic device big enough to handle USB-C has to implement it. So your point is - pointless. No need to discuss pros and cons any further, over and out. Apple refused to implement a common charging standard and EU waited for 10 years. Now it is time for the Anti Apple Act. No way to circumvent it, no adapters, no portless, nothing.

Apple will tell u USB-C is the best and the only thing you‘ll need and that it is insane and awesome and you are going to buy it. Story told.

 

[MacRumorUser78]

Come on Apple. Not having USB-C is slowing me from replacing my X. I have four places that I occasionally charge in the house as well as the car and travel. And other legacy USB devices. One less connector to get confused.

 

[j238]

OK, as long as I can still sync my Nano with a 30 pin cable.

 

[mikethemartian]

It's absolutely not a "huge" issue. It's a tiny issue …

An iPhone uses less than 5kWh a year. If the efficiency is 50%, that's 5kWh wasted per year.
The average US houshold uses 11,000kWh per year. So that's 0.05% increase per phone.

Yes, it adds up globally. But it's ridiculous to even talk about, given all the actually huge environmental issues out there. Compared to all the energy wasted through inefficiencies in a typical household, it's a rounding error. Stop telling yourself you're a hero of the environment for saying no to wireless charging. Better take a hard look at your next TV, fridge, dryer and car …

I would 100% agree with you except Apple constantly claims that they only do what is best for the environment.

 

[ingambe]

I just went back from traveling overseas
Having to bring two different cables for my iPad Pro and my iPhone was annoying

All my products have USB C (MacBook and sony headphones included), except my phone

 

[russell_314]

I generally agree... EXCEPT the key is setting up a situation where the consumer can decide. If the most wonderful-est ever, magical phone consumers want only comes with a proprietary connection, there is no decision to be made there. If they want the many benefits of THAT phone, they must embrace that proprietary connection... whether they want that connection type or not.

If Apple rolled out BOTH options- same phone with either a Lightning or a USBc connector- at the same price and otherwise with all of the same features & benefits, then consumers could decide... and I suspect many would choose the USBc version.

No because you can decide. If it's a critical issue then you likely won't buy it. Sure we have to choose what is important or not. If the new iPhone only comes in Space Gray, Forrest Green, and Awesome Pink but I wanted Super Duper Blue I have to decide how important is that one feature vs the entire package. Basically do I want to hand over my entire life to Google to get a blue phone. At that point you're right. The thing is how far do we take this and why is it justified for a government to decide what port is needed? I want a Ford Mustang but I want the engine from a Chevy Camaro. I'm forced to buy the Mustang engine even though I don't like it because it's the only thing that's available with that car. Everything you buy has this dilemma. Obviously Apple could make two iPhones but that would drive up production and supply costs. They would just go with one if they were forced to.

An interesting idea would be in flipping this around. Suppose this EU mandate or just momentum (or Apple's own internal planning schedule) leads to iPhones rolling out with only USB-C connections. How many iPhone buyers opt to NOT buy iPhone anymore because now it uses that USB-C jack instead of Lightning? If sales go down because of this change, the "consumer decide" effect shows itself over this perhaps most obvious change. However, if sales go up, the whole assumption that a consumer will make a buy-don't buy decision on this one issue falls apart.

No the problem with this is in your scenario the government has banned the Lightning port so that choice has been taken away. Before people had the choice to buy a phone with a Lightning or USB-C port. Sure some people might say I'm not going to buy a new phone because it has a port they dislike (Why dislike a port that much IDK?) but most people just don't care and even if they did they will still want a new phone. It would be like if the government banned iOS and forced Apple to install Android with the entire Google system on their new iPhones. In this extreme example sure some people would hold out but there's a point when the choice is remove then you buy what is available.

I doubt just about any of them jump ship over the connector.

You're absolutely correct. No one is going to jump ship over a connector. Well maybe not no one but I'd say 99.9% don't care. That's probably the percentage of people who use their connector for only charging. For them if it plugs in easily and doesn't break or short out they're happy. I don't care either way. To be honest I think wireless charging is going to take over so this whole thing will be a non issue in five years. We'll all be looking backing saying remember when we had to plug something into our phones to power them LOL.

My only issue is not the change but how it's implemented. I don't think politicians are intelligent enough to decide what port is best or not. Even worse once they mandate this port what happens when it starts to become obsolete. Do we have to go beg or pay these same politicians to decide what we should use next?

Generally, "we" are against right now because Apple has phones to sell right now that don't have it. Same with NFC payments before Apple Pay. Same with phablet-sized screens while Apple still clung to 4" as "perfection." As soon as Apple switches- whether they are "forced" or do so voluntarily- the passionate support of Lightning will evaporate overnight... just as anti-NFC and anti-phablet sentiment did before Apple shifted to those. Firewire was once Apple's special connector. 30-pin was once Apple's proprietary connector. There's little to no (connector) love lost in the change after Apple makes it.

The difference is none of these things were mandated by a government. This was consumers wanting something and them using their power as a consumer to not force but influence Apple to do what they wanted. If Apple doesn't offer what I need and want I will look elsewhere. They know most consumers have some brand loyalty to a point but also if they do something crazy or just lag behind what people want too much they will spend their money elsewhere.

 

[russell_314]

Fortunately, USB-C chargers aren't the silly expensive devices of the past. You can get a good 20W USB-C charger, including Apple's own, for under US$20 nowadays.

It's only the cable that would need replacing. You can use the same charger, wall wart, power adapter or whatever people call it now. The cost is really low. I hope people recycle their old Lightning cables but I know that most will end up in a landfill within two years when everyone gets the new iPhone.

 

[soyazul]

Yes please! but do it this year...

 

[Macative]

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.

Would you just stop with this please? There is no industry speculation on this. There is idle blog author speculation. And people that think because iPhone supports wireless things, that means its possible to be entirely wireless. Nothing is further from the truth. There is an entire world of wired infrastructure that is not going anywhere. There is the overwhelming majority of the iPhone market that doesn't even know what wireless charging is, let alone use it.

Portless iPhone is not happening anytime in the foreseeable future. USB-C is inevitable.