While the underlying technology behind the charging may change, the Lightning port will remain on all of Apple's three new iPhones coming later this year -- including the flagship "iPhone 8" -- according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities.
'iPhone 8' concept rendering by Marek Weidlich.
Apple is expected to utilize "Type-C Power Delivery" technology in this year's iPhones, Ming-Chi Kuo said in a research note on Thursday, a copy of which was obtained by AppleInsider. The note specifically refutes a questionable claim made earlier this week by The Wall Street Journal, which suggested Apple could ditch the Lightning port with this year's "iPhone 8," instead switching to the same USB-C port found on the company's latest MacBooks.
That rumor was unlikely for a number of reasons, including a lack of clear advantages in changing the connector type. But one key advantage instead lies in the underlying technology, which can be integrated into Apple's own proprietary Lightning port.
Kuo noted that safety and stable data transmission during a fast charge are crucial elements for Apple to nail in the switch. He believes the company will adopt power management from Texas Instruments and power delivery chips from Cypress.