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Journalism of Courage
The end of Apple’s ‘Lightning’ port is near, according to various reports. The latest comes from well-known Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who earlier claimed that the company could switch iPhones from Lightning to USB-C ports in 2023. He has stated in a new tweet that the iPhone-maker will do the same with other products such as AirPods.
In a tweet posted on May 16, Kuo rubbished rumours that Apple could be getting ready to create an iPhone with no ports, saying that such a device would create a lot of problems. He also pointed out that this was unlikely due to the current limitations of wireless technologies as well as the “immature MagSafe ecosystem.”
By moving the iPhone and accessories to USB-C, Apple could streamline the chargers used to charge all its devices. Most of the company’s Mac devices and higher-end iPads already use USB-C instead of lightning. Wireless chargers for the iPhone and the Apple Watch also use a USB-C connector for their power bricks.
USB-C chargers are slightly thicker than Lightning connectors but this heftier size comes with an advantage: they can offer faster charging and data transfer speeds than Apple’s proprietary connector. But there exists a whole ecosystem of third-party accessories including chargers and adapters that use the Lightning connector. A change in the iPhone and accessories’ port could mean that these third-party manufacturers will be forced to pivot quickly as well.
While Kuo did not specify the exact reasons behind Apple’s new direction, it is safe to assume that the European Commission’s proposal for a new rule to mandate all mobile phones and electronics to adopt a single charging solution is another reason why Apple is making the switch. Apple, however, has not commented on the same.
