Apple could ditch the Lightning connector on the highest-end versions of the iPhone in 2021, meaning the devices will require wireless charging, according to a report on Thursday from Ming-Chi Kuo, an analyst at TF Securities.
The removal of the Lightning cable, along with other differentiating updates, will boost shipments and the average selling price of the high-end iPhone models, Kuo, a top Apple analyst, wrote. Without the connector, the top-tier iPhone would provide a "completely wireless experience," Kuo said.
Speculation has been building for several years that Apple plans to remove the Lightning cable. As far back as 2017, Kuo predicted that Apple would discard the Lightning connector in favor of the USB Type-C connector, which is widely used across the industry.
However, Apple has continued to include Lightning ports in the latest iPhone models. Apple's new iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max models, which were announced in September, all have Lightning ports.
Apple has started to include the USB-C connector in some products. The new iPhones support Apple's fast charger, which promises to deliver up to a 50% charge in 30 minutes. The charger uses USB-C and requires iPhone users to buy a specific cable that goes from the Lightning connector to USB-C ports.
WATCH: Cramer says Apple's iPhone could be the greatest subscription in the world
Alan_Shutko on December 5th, 2019 at 18:45 UTC »
Just remember everyone: Ming-Chi Kuo has been right about a lot of Apple predictions, but he has also been completely wrong on a lot of his predictions.
currentlyinthelib on December 5th, 2019 at 18:41 UTC »
But how am I suppose to call/browse when it’s charging in bed.
StoneStalwart on December 5th, 2019 at 18:41 UTC »
I thought we are supposed to be saving energy, not spending it like mad? Wireless charging is about 50% efficient compared to wired charging is above 80% efficiency.
Really backwards move when you consider the massive volume of phone. They say every bit helps. This bit will be doing a decent amount of "unhelping"