Apple 'not likely' to ship redesigned power adapter, Lightning cable with 'iPhone 6'

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo on Monday poured cold water on recent rumors that Apple was preparing to migrate to a reversible version of the Lightning charge cable as well as a larger, possibly more powerful iPhone power adapter alongside its next-generation handset.

"We don't expect the USB power adapter and Lightning cable for iPhone 6 to have significant design changes," Kuo wrote in a Monday morning note to investors, a copy of which was obtained by AppleInsider. Kuo cited "cost concerns and limited improvements to overall user experience that such changes would bring" before declaring the speculation "off the mark."

Whispers of a new Lightning cable bearing a non-standard, reversible USB Type A plug at one end first surfaced in mid-August. A number of parts bearing the new design appeared online, but such a configuration — while technically feasible — is not sanctioned by the USB Implementers Forum, the USB standard's overseers, and was thus unlikely to come directly from Apple.

Shortly after, photos of a new U.S. power adapter bearing a larger physical design that matches the current-generation adapters for Australia appeared on Chinese microblogging site Sina Weibo. Similar new adapters were later seen for Europe.

It remains unclear what benefit such a change would bring, though most speculation at the time centered around an increase in power output to charge higher-capacity batteries in larger iPhones.

The rumors should be put to rest next week during Apple's Sept. 9 media event in Cupertino. AppleInsider will be in attendance and will bring live coverage of every announcement from the Flint Center.