Reports: iPhone May Go USB-C in 2023
Image via Apple
16 MAY 2022 - TF International analyst Ming-Chi Kuo seems to have set tongues a waggin’ and keyboards a clackin’ around Apple and its future port plays. A couple of pieces from MacRumors point to a few Twitter messages from the well connected industry analyst. The first was from mid-week last week. It had Young-MC saying in the first of two Twitter posts:
(1/2) 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.
The second Twitter message had the analyst saying that investor focus will likely shift to the companies currently in Apple’s USB-C supply chain, since they are going to get so many orders from Apple once it shifts to that tech for iPhone “and accessories…”
Somehow, and accessories was missed last week. Or the analyst simply wanted to reiterate. On Sunday, another piece from MacRumors had Ming-Chi Kuo doing that, as well as addressing the mythical “portless” iPhone for which some have been waiting. In yet another Twitter post a few days later the analyst said:
Portless iPhone may cause more problems due to current limitations of wireless technologies & the immature MagSafe ecosystem.
Other Lightning port products (e.g., AirPods, Magic Keyboard/Trackpad/Mouse, MagSafe Battery) would also switch to USB-C in the foreseeable future.
Makes sense. As iPhone goes, so goes the ecosystem.
The speculation seems sound for at least a couple of reasons. First, there are the tech advantages pointed out by the TF International analyst. The second has to do with proposed legislation in the European Union. MacRumors points out that the EU is working on laws “that would require Apple to use USB-C technology across its product lineup, on iPhones, iPads, and AirPods.” “One port to rule them all” seems to be the EU’s wish. Seems likely that Apple would simply choose to move everyone along, rather than making special editions for EU countries.
Worth noting: Bloomberg's Mark Gurman says he has confirmed talk of the move to USB-C for iPhone in 2023. That said, he does not seem to have commented on the accessories. If it happens, expect a new ear of the dongle. According to MacRumors:
If Apple does transition to USB-C, Gurman says that the company will come out with an adapter that would let USB-C iPhones connect to accessories that have Lightning ports.
Which you can keep plugging your 3.5-mm headphones into, I suppose.
