It’s just about a given at this level that this yr’s iPhone 15 will herald the much-anticipated swap from Lightning to USB-C, however one imaginative engineer has determined to create an instance of how Apple may attempt to straddle each worlds — including a USB-C port along with the Lightning port.
In a video shared on YouTube, a modder named Hyphaistos3672 disassembled an iPhone 12 mini to take away one of many audio system and create house for a further USB-C port. They then modified the speaker to suit it again into the leftover house and reassembled the system right into a working iPhone.
We’ve seen modders swap out the Lightning port for USB-C, however this can be a far more attention-grabbing venture, as a completely practical USB-C port was added alongside a working Lightning port.
Nevertheless, regardless of Apple’s fixation on its proprietary Lightning port, it’s unlikely that Apple would entertain the notion of such a clumsy association. Nevertheless, the video proves it may be performed — and on an iPhone 12 mini, no much less. This implies it will be trivial for Apple to include a design like this into its bigger 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch iPhone fashions.
Forcing Apple’s Hand
Whereas there’s each motive to consider that Apple plans to go all-in on USB-C over the following yr, it’s laborious to say whether or not the corporate would have performed so by alternative. In spite of everything, Apple has a protracted and satisfying relationship with its proprietary Lightning port, the place it may possibly acquire licensing charges and management the kinds of equipment used with the iPhone.
Nonetheless, Apple acted pragmatically to undertake USB-C on the iPad Professional 4 years in the past, conceding that skilled pill customers had a broader want for accent compatibility than the Lightning port would ever be capable of supply. Whereas iPhone customers don’t have the identical necessities, the European Union (EU) has made it clear that there ought to be one charging port to rule all of them, and the U.S. may quickly observe swimsuit.
Apple doesn’t have a lot alternative, and the EU is being far more forceful in its stance this time than it was ten years in the past when Apple was capable of wiggle out of the EU’s guidelines by providing a $19 Lightning to Micro USB adapter.
In brief, the iPhone wants to supply a bodily USB-C port for charging, not an adapter, since that might defeat the aim of the EU laws, which is primarily aimed toward decreasing digital waste from pointless equipment.
Apple’s Subsequent Transfer?
Sadly, the letter of the legislation solely considerations ports used for charging. The EU says nothing about ports used for different issues like information switch, video and audio output, or connecting non-charging equipment. Because of this Apple may theoretically do precisely what Hyphaistos3672 did by including an additional port, and it wouldn’t even need to go as far; the brand new USB-C port may very well be there solely for charging, with the Lightning port nonetheless required for each different kind of accent.
Such a transfer can be seen as Apple tacitly protesting the choice by European regulators by doing the naked minimal to adjust to the legislation. Fortunately, Apple isn’t normally the kind of firm that makes important design choices simply to be snarky. From every thing we’ve seen over the previous few years, the corporate has been transferring within the path of decreasing the ports on the iPhone. Including an additional port can be a step within the improper path.
The truth is, many analysts consider Apple’s longer-term recreation is an iPhone with no ports in any respect. Of us with some perception into Apple’s plans have been speculating on this for over three years, and plenty of believed Apple would use it to keep away from the USB-C transition solely.
To be honest, it’s not that far-fetched of an thought. The EU guidelines don’t say that gadgets are required to have a USB-C port — merely that if a wired charging port exists, it should use the USB-C normal. Eliminating all charging ports in favor of MagSafe would sidestep the EU guidelines. Additional, MagSafe is able to doing far more than charging, so it may substitute the Lightning port as effectively.
Nevertheless, the issue is that the world nonetheless isn’t prepared for a completely wi-fi iPhone. Wired charging remains to be a lot sooner than even Apple’s 15W MagSafesince wi-fi charging is inherently inefficient, and a few pricey equipment, like CarPlay programs, nonetheless overwhelmingly use a wired connection. Wi-fi CarPlay is gaining popularity, however it’s nonetheless restricted to higher-end automobiles because it requires an onboard Wi-Fi system. Plus, individuals don’t purchase new automobiles almost as typically as they purchase new iPhones.
For sure, even when Apple is totally ready to construct a port-free iPhone, it should look forward to the market to catch up earlier than it may really get away with releasing one. Within the meantime, it has no alternative however to undertake USB-C, however we’re hoping that Apple’s want to scale back the variety of ports on the iPhone is stronger than its attachment to the Lightning port.
[The information provided in this article has NOT been confirmed by Apple and may be speculation. Provided details may not be factual. Take all rumors, tech or otherwise, with a grain of salt.]