It was recently reported that Apple could remove the Lightning port from the iPhone in favor of USB-C connectivity, possibly by 2023 with the iPhone 15 lineup. Now, TF Securities analyst Ming-Chi is saying that next year, Apple could also switch more of its products from Lightning to USB-C like AirPods, Magic Keyboard, and more.
Apple to remove its proprietary Lightning port in favor of USB-C on accessories as well as iPhones
Last year, it was rumored that Apple might switch to using USB-C on its iPhones. However, those rumors were quickly shut down as analysts believed that the impact of switching to USB-C would be detrimental to Apple’s Made for iPhone (MFi) program. In addition, the standard carries a lower specification than Apple’s Lightning port and MagSafe.
After integrating MagSafe with the iPhone 12 lineup, it was theorized that Apple would switch to a portless iPhone altogether when the time comes to ditch its proprietary Lightning port. However, that is unlikely to happen now.
Industry sources had previously reported that Apple was testing a portless iPhone to release by 2021. While testing has not stopped on the product, it does not seem like it will be released anytime soon. Kuo took to Twitter to explain that a “Portless iPhone may cause more problems due to current limitations of wireless technologies & the immature MagSafe ecosystem.”
Kuo went on to reveal that the tech giant will also release USB-C versions of other products that currently feature a Lightning port: AirPods, Magic Keyboard, Magic, Trackpad, Magic Mouse, and the MagSafe Battery Pack.
It is possible that Apple’s decision to switch its products from Lightning has something to do with the recent decision of the European Commission to move forward with its 2021 legislation that aims to establish a common charger for mobile phones, tablets, cameras, and other electronic devices within the 27-nation bloc.
If the legislation ends up being implemented as a law, Apple will have to remove its proprietary Lightning port from all iPhones, iPads, and AirPods in Europe anyways. Therefore, it makes sense that its next move is a unified switch from Lightning to USB-C across all of its products.
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