AppleInsider Staff
An unsourced photo that surfaced Saturday from Asia indicates that Apple may be planning to redesign the iPhone charging adapter — at least in the U.S. — alongside the release of its next-generation handset, which is expected to sport a larger battery that may include increased charging requirements.
The part depicted in the photograph, which appeared on Chinese microblogging site Sina Weibo, bears the same physical design as Apple's current charging adapter in Australia. It is slightly wider than the current U.S. model, with notches on either side to allow a more solid grip when plugging and unplugging.
There is no word on why Apple would make such a move, though it is possible that the company plans to increase the charger's capacity above its current five watts. The so-called "iPhone 6" is rumored to ship with a battery some 46 percent larger than the battery in the iPhone 5s.
Also shown is a new Lightning charging cable with a reversible, USB Type-A plug at one end. A number of similar items have shown up in recent days — and the company has been seen expressing interest in reversible designs — though this design would not be compliant with official USB specifications.
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 6 at a media event on Sept. 9, with availability likely to begin on Sept. 19.
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36 Comments
The Australian style charger is certainly easier to grab hold of than the square US style !!!
The iPhone adapter is already light and compact. Let's hope Apple is replacing that dreadfully heavy white brick that ships with the feather-light MacBook Air. Apple should make this standard with the next model: http://finsix.com/dart/
[quote name="Inkling" url="/t/181956/rumor-apple-to-redesign-u-s-charging-adapter-for-iphone-6#post_2583782"]The iPhone adapter is already light and compact. Let's hope Apple is replacing that dreadfully heavy white brick that ships with the feather-light MacBook Air. Apple should make this standard with the next model: http://finsix.com/dart/[/quote] Or it could be a slight modification to the iPad charger. I doubt Apple needs to enlarge the iPhone charger just to increase its amperage slightly. (And yes, I was temped to use the term 'amp up' in place of 'increase' in that previous sentence.)
That site also tells us it comes with a reversible USB cable, though holding it like this is no indication these plugs are both on a single cable: [IMG ALT=""]http://forums.appleinsider.com/content/type/61/id/47547/width/500/height/1000[/IMG] I wish these posters would someday understand the importance of making a picture of the print on the plug. Now we can't read what the Amperage or Wattage is. Bad pic, OrangeLee, bad pic. [quote name="RadarTheKat" url="/t/181956/rumor-apple-to-redesign-u-s-charging-adapter-for-iphone-6#post_2583788"]I doubt Apple needs to enlarge the iPhone charger just to increase its amperage slightly. (And yes, I was temped to use the term 'amp up' in place of 'increase' in that previous sentence.)[/quote] Lol. At least you didn't tell us it was [I]more proof the 5.5"[/I] was coming¡
It's about time Apple redesigned the charger. the old one was getting stale. /s