William Gallagher
After some supply chain checks, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says that the 2023 "iPhone 15" will abandon the Lightning connector and instead use USB-C.
Apple has been periodically rumored to migrate from Lightning to USB-C for a forthcoming iPhone over the last few years, and the EU is close to requiring all smartphone manufacturers to adopt it. In a new series of tweets, Ming-Chi Kuo says he believes it will happen with the "iPhone 15."
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— (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) May 11, 2022
My latest survey indicates that 2H23 new iPhone will abandon Lightning port and switch to USB-C port. USB-C could improve iPhone's transfer and charging speed in hardware designs, but the final spec details still depend on iOS support.
Recent tweets from Kuo have primarily been his predictions, rather than based on any supply chain evidence. He says this new information is from his "latest survey," presumably of those suppliers, however.
If correct, a 2023 launch would mark the end of the Lightning connector as Apple's primary charging cable, after 13 years. USB-C was launched shortly after Lightning in 2012, but it wasn't until the 12-inch MacBook in 2015 that Apple used it.
Christine McKee
AppleInsider Staff
Chip Loder
Malcolm Owen
47 Comments
As long as Apple gets rid of the lightning port on everything else...AirPods...Magic Mouse...etc...
Lighting USB - C your way out
hopefully
Although USB has already switched to USB-C On one end of the lighting cable and I’ve always liked the lighting, it’s just time to join the world.
Ever since USB-C launched numerous voices including Kuo have repeatedly claimed that Apple only keep the lighting connector to protect a revenue source inside of the MFi program. Despite the mountain of evidence to the contrary and that the bulk of Apple's MFi program is based around wireless technologies and protocols e.g. GymKit, Hearing Aids, MagSafe, HomeKit, AirPlay, FindMy, CarPlay and Authentication to list a few examples.
Switching now to USB-C is the result of accessories being largely driven by wireless connections. Swapping earlier would merely produce unncessary landfill and breed resentment across both consumers and manufacturers of lightning-based devices.
Mandates for micro USB and then later USB-C solved the problem of budget manufacturers which made a new plug for every phone/device they built. That's not a problem that Apple has ever had.
This is my requirement to upgrade. Still hanging onto my Gold 512GB XS Max until a USB-C port is on the iPhone. Glad to read it’s finally on the horizon. Sorry we have to wait another 16 months.