While Apple’s iPhone 14 design decisions are opinion-dividing, they are nothing compared to Apple’s plan ahead
In a new report from Bloomberg, acclaimed Apple reporter Mark Gurman reveals that Apple is currently testing an iPhone that scraps the company’s proprietary (and incredibly flashy) Lightning port in favor of USB-C. And it can make the iPhone 14 range useless.
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max Concept Render
EverythingApplePro
Gurman says Apple’s decision is inspired by upcoming changes to European law that would force all phone makers to adopt USB-C. The company has previously raided against the changes, claiming that “a regulation mandating only one type of connector for all devices on the market is slowing the introduction of beneficial innovations in charging standards, including those related to safety and energy efficiency.” will harm European consumers.”
But it is an argument that has been rejected by the European Union and last month a law mandating USB-C was approved by a majority. The results of the iPhone 14 range can be significant.
On Apple’s side, EU law is unlikely to affect iPhones until 2023, and Gurman says Apple is testing USB-C on early prototypes of the iPhone 15. But if the EU law is passed, all iPhone models with a Lightning connector will quickly be seen as legacy devices. Not only by Apple fans but also by Apple itself.
Here is the example. When the iPhone 5 introduced the Lightning port in 2011, Apple released the iPad 4 lineup just eight months after the iPad 3, it was a nearly identical tablet with only a processor bump and… yes, the new Lightning port. iPad 3 sales fell off a cliff, as did their second-hand value.
As a result, if Apple launches the iPhone 15 range with USB-C it is possible that the company may relaunch the older iPhones, with the iPhone 15 continuing to go on sale (including the iPhone 14 models) with USB-C. plan to keep. This would kill the second-hand value for a Lightning-equipped iPhone 14 model.
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max renders based on leaked schematics
EverythingApplePro
And no, it’s unlikely that Apple will sell USB-C iPhones in Europe and Lightning-equipped iPhones in the rest of the world, with Gurman explaining that “having multiple versions of the same iPhone with different connectors would probably cause even more confusion.” , as well as supply-chain headaches.”
Furthermore, there are objectively good reasons for the EU to make this change. Not only does one port bring environmental benefits, but USB-C offers faster charging and data transfer rates (which have clear usage scenarios). It will also integrate the Apple range MacBook and iPad Pros already charge using USB-C.
Interestingly, the support of Gurman’s report equal claim From popular Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo on Wednesday. At the time, Kuo’s claim was dismissed by many as the belief that Apple was favoring a MagSafe-only iPhone future before adopting USB-C. But now with Gurman, both experts weighing in will take this news very seriously indeed.
At this stage, it’s not clear whether Apple will scrap its USB-C plans if EU laws don’t make it into law or if the company is already at the very bottom. Gurman says that Apple is already “working on an adapter that will let future iPhones work with accessories designed for the current Lightning connector.”
In short, nervous iPhone fans might be wise to hold off on their upgrade plans until 2023, when sweeping design changes are coming anyway.
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