Questionable rumor claims Apple will ditch Lightning for USB-C on OLED 'iPhone 8'

AppleInsiderAppleInsider
Posted:
in iPhone edited February 2017
A new report from The Wall Street Journal suggests that Apple will abandon its proprietary Lightning port later this year, instead opting for a USB-C connection for charging and wired syncing. For a company that has recently doubled down on Lightning, that seems unlikely. Here's why.


'iPhone 8' concept rendering by Marek Weidlich.


Citing people familiar wth production of the upcoming handset, the Journal reported on Tuesday many of the aspects already expected of Apple's so-called "iPhone 8," headlined by a curved OLED display provided from Samsung. Consistent with earlier rumors, it was said that Apple plans to launch three new iPhones this year, with a high-end flagship model sporting a new look and new display technology.

But in a twist, the report also claimed that Apple will use a USB-C port for the power cord "and other peripherals," implying it will ditch the Lightning connector that has been a part of Apple's handsets since the iPhone 5.

It's also possible that the report is simply poorly worded and intends to suggest that the full-size USB connector that plugs into wall adapters and computers will be replaced with USB-C. Reporter Takashi Mochizuki says on the matter, in full:
Apple will introduce other updates including a USB-C port for the power cord and other peripheral devices instead of the company's original Lightning connector.
Rather than move away from Lightning, Apple has continued to introduce new accessories with the proprietary connector, including the Apple Pencil, Apple TV Siri Remote, AirPods, BeatsX headphones and more. The continued expansion of Lightning -- including full-fledged USB 3 speeds beginning with the 12.9-inch iPad Pro --?along with negligible gains over the switch to a physically-similar USB-C port, would call the rumor into question.

Instead, it's more likely that Apple might switch to a USB-C connector on the opposite end of the Lightning cable that ships in the box. That would allow users to plug their "iPhone 8" into one of the company's new MacBook Pros, or the 12-inch MacBook.

Apple already sells a Lightning to USB-C cable separately for those instances. Shipping one in the box would prevent users from turning to legacy wall adapters with full-size USB ports, but limiting the USB-C cable to the high-end "iPhone 8" -- which is rumored to carry a price tag above $1,000 --?could potentially ease the transition to a new port.

Notably, Tuesday's rumor made no mention of wireless charging on the "iPhone 8." Apple is widely expected to offer contact-based wireless charging on the rear glass case of its flagship handset, allowing users to juice the device by simply placing it on a compatible charging pad.




Another key change in this year's handset is expected to be a new FaceTime camera capable of 3D facial recognition, allowing for a new secure biometric login method. The Journal's report made no mention of this improvement either.

It did, however, reiterate that the "iPhone 8" is expected to ditch the physical phone button that has been found on all iPhones to date. It's expected that Apple will switch to a new "function area" below the OLED panel, dedicated to system functions like virtual buttons.

Apple already laid the groundwork for a virtual home button beginning with last year's iPhone 7 series. The button employs the company's "Taptic Engine" haptic feedback technology, simulating the feeling of a click without the button physically moving.

The Cupertino, Calif., company is believed to launch all three new iPhones --?an "8," a "7s" and a "7s Plus" --?in its usual September timeframe. The "iPhone 7s" series is rumored to feature largely the same design and form factor as the current iPhone 7 series, allowing the premium "iPhone 8" design to stand out.
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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 54
    wood1208wood1208 Posts: 2,913member
    Far fetched. Some trying to start rumor to see if it creates self full filling prophecy.Why Apple would put USB Type-C on iPhone 8 and not on others two ?
    edited February 2017 watto_cobraRayz2016jbdragoncornchip
  • Reply 2 of 54
    tmaytmay Posts: 6,328member
    No reason to consider changing at this time, but give it 5 to 8 years and USB C becoming ubiquitous, and there's some probability of that happening.

    Unless, of course, USBorg decides to add even more form factors, which they will. 
    watto_cobranetmagecornchip
  • Reply 3 of 54
    ravnorodomravnorodom Posts: 694member
    Not happening while wireless charging is on the fore coming plan.
    cornchip
  • Reply 4 of 54
    FatmanFatman Posts: 513member
    A change will undoubtedly cause a shxt show in the press, cause confusion amongst non technical users, and inspire dozens of articles of conspiracy, blah, blah, blah.  But honestly Apple should move to USB-C it's the superior standard to anything out there now. Lightning ports were/are Apple's 'precursor/bridge technology' as they waited for the various standards associations to get their heads out of their axes to finalize this new protocol and connector. USB-C should also replace the lame HDMI ports on all AV equipment/ TV sets as well. Finally one port can do it all - get rid of all the old ports and accelerate adoption now. Dell is still putting VGA connectors on products - absurd.
    watto_cobracornchip
  • Reply 5 of 54
    andrewj5790andrewj5790 Posts: 296member
    THANK YOU! Only outlet to report this in this fashion. Appreciate Apple insider for not reporting these as fact. Macrumors headline (not to name names or anything), said "iPhone 8 WILL..." as if it's incontrovertible fact... agonizing.
    nhughesjbdragonwatto_cobracornchip
  • Reply 6 of 54
    appexappex Posts: 687member
    Apple should use standards. Like USB and Thunderbolt.
  • Reply 7 of 54
    tmaytmay Posts: 6,328member
    appex said:
    Apple should use standards. Like USB and Thunderbolt.
    Lighting is a defacto standard by any measure, especially devices in use, and has USB 3.0 performance so little would be gained moving to USB Type C.

    There's every reason to believe that a combination of wireless power and wireless data connection will obviate the need for physical connections in the future, so why change today? 
    netmagesfjohnwatto_cobraredgeminipa
  • Reply 8 of 54
    icoco3icoco3 Posts: 1,474member
    Apple produced 5 phones with the legacy port, 5 phones with the Lightning port, so the pattern points to a change this time around.  I doubt it will happen as Apple has invested heavily in Lightning and with the headphone change on the 7, a change this year would cause all kinds of uproar.  One day maybe...  Besides, they want to control what is lugged into their phones for "quality" purposes and with USB-C they would loose that.
    watto_cobracornchip
  • Reply 9 of 54
    polymniapolymnia Posts: 1,080member
    When Lighting is replaced it will likely be replaced by the Smart Connector from the iPad. This won't happen until most data application are wireless. The Smart Connector will be more for charging than data (though it does transmit data). Part of apple's plan to slowly remove all holes and potential water ingress points. 
    Fatmanmacxpressanomelolliversfjohnredgeminipa
  • Reply 10 of 54
    smiffy31smiffy31 Posts: 202member
    icoco3 said:
    Apple produced 5 phones with the legacy port, 5 phones with the Lightning port, so the pattern points to a change this time around.  I doubt it will happen as Apple has invested heavily in Lightning and with the headphone change on the 7, a change this year would cause all kinds of uproar.  One day maybe...  Besides, they want to control what is lugged into their phones for "quality" purposes and with USB-C they would loose that.
    I count 6 phones with lightning
    • 5
    • 5C
    • 5S
    • 6 / 6+
    • 6S / 6S+
    • 7 / 7+
    netmagewatto_cobracornchip
  • Reply 11 of 54
    macxpressmacxpress Posts: 5,808member
    appex said:
    Apple should use standards. Like USB and Thunderbolt.
    Lightning isn't a standard???? Just because only Apple uses it doesn't mean its not a type of standard.

    polymnia said:
    When Lighting is replaced it will likely be replaced by the Smart Connector from the iPad. This won't happen until most data application are wireless. The Smart Connector will be more for charging than data (though it does transmit data). Part of apple's plan to slowly remove all holes and potential water ingress points. 
    I'm really hoping any new iPads from here on out have the smart connector on them. From an educational standpoint the current setup with iPads and keyboard is an absolute pain in the ass! Bluetooth keyboards for iPads in a cart situation simply does not work! If Apple wants schools to implement more iPads in their districts then simple things like this needs to be standard on all new iPads, not just iPad Pros.
    icoco3tmaynetmagelolliverwatto_cobra
  • Reply 12 of 54
    smiffy31smiffy31 Posts: 202member
    macxpress said:
    appex said:
    Apple should use standards. Like USB and Thunderbolt.
    Lightning isn't a standard???? Just because only Apple uses it doesn't mean its not a type of standard.

    polymnia said:
    When Lighting is replaced it will likely be replaced by the Smart Connector from the iPad. This won't happen until most data application are wireless. The Smart Connector will be more for charging than data (though it does transmit data). Part of apple's plan to slowly remove all holes and potential water ingress points. 
    I'm really hoping any new iPads from here on out have the smart connector on them. From an educational standpoint the current setup with iPads and keyboard is an absolute pain in the ass! Bluetooth keyboards for iPads in a cart situation simply does not work! If Apple wants schools to implement more iPads in their districts then simple things like this needs to be standard on all new iPads, not just iPad Pros.
    You do know there exist lightning equipped keyboards which are probably cheaper than their smart connector counterparts.
  • Reply 13 of 54
    qwweraqwwera Posts: 281member
    I say they change it, but not the phone end.
    netmagewatto_cobracornchip
  • Reply 14 of 54
    icoco3icoco3 Posts: 1,474member
    smiffy31 said:
    icoco3 said:
    Apple produced 5 phones with the legacy port, 5 phones with the Lightning port, so the pattern points to a change this time around.  I doubt it will happen as Apple has invested heavily in Lightning and with the headphone change on the 7, a change this year would cause all kinds of uproar.  One day maybe...  Besides, they want to control what is lugged into their phones for "quality" purposes and with USB-C they would loose that.
    I count 6 phones with lightning
    • 5
    • 5C
    • 5S
    • 6 / 6+
    • 6S / 6S+
    • 7 / 7+
    5C and 5S I counted together but did leave out 5SE (and you did too B) ).  I considered the 5C, 5S, and 5SE the same series basically.
    62
    edited February 2017
  • Reply 15 of 54
    macxpressmacxpress Posts: 5,808member
    smiffy31 said:
    macxpress said:
    appex said:
    Apple should use standards. Like USB and Thunderbolt.
    Lightning isn't a standard???? Just because only Apple uses it doesn't mean its not a type of standard.

    polymnia said:
    When Lighting is replaced it will likely be replaced by the Smart Connector from the iPad. This won't happen until most data application are wireless. The Smart Connector will be more for charging than data (though it does transmit data). Part of apple's plan to slowly remove all holes and potential water ingress points. 
    I'm really hoping any new iPads from here on out have the smart connector on them. From an educational standpoint the current setup with iPads and keyboard is an absolute pain in the ass! Bluetooth keyboards for iPads in a cart situation simply does not work! If Apple wants schools to implement more iPads in their districts then simple things like this needs to be standard on all new iPads, not just iPad Pros.
    You do know there exist lightning equipped keyboards which are probably cheaper than their smart connector counterparts.
    Unless they're integrated into a case thats not a viable solution. Schools want an all-in-one solution, not external lightning keyboards. And when you factor in a decent case, its no longer cheaper. In fact, its more expensive. 
    edited February 2017
  • Reply 16 of 54
    MetriacanthosaurusMetriacanthosaurus Posts: 880member
    Nope.
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 17 of 54
    lkrupplkrupp Posts: 10,557member
    The dongle trolls would have a field day if this were true. It’s not.
    watto_cobracornchip
  • Reply 18 of 54
    seanismorrisseanismorris Posts: 1,624member
    The lightning connector works great!  No reason to change.

    Changing the old USB connector that connects to the power adapter does make sense.  But, I don't know of any advantages that would make the change urgent.

    There would likely be a speed improvement, but the power draw wouldn't change...

    Changing the Lightning plug on the Idevices themselves would be crazy.  Apple doesn't really care about someone else's standard.  They quite like forcing their quality standards on generic cable manufacturers.

    Since the Lightning connector came out, I've had no problems with a braided cable I purchased.  With the previous cables I was replacing them every month or two. 
  • Reply 19 of 54
    ksecksec Posts: 1,569member
    1. USB-C is a Thicker Port. 
    2. I hugely dislike USB-C design, where the connector / tongue could be bent and damaged when it is within the devices. For Lightning, the tongue is actually with the cable, breaking it means cable swap only.
    3. Why release Magic Mouse with Lightning when USB-C is coming to iPhone?
    randominternetpersonnetmagewatto_cobracornchipredgeminipa
  • Reply 20 of 54
    MetriacanthosaurusMetriacanthosaurus Posts: 880member
    qwwera said:
    I say they change it, but not the phone end.
    That makes even less sense. USB-A charging is ubiquitous. There is ZERO incentive for Apple to change USB-A to USB-C on the iPhone until USB-C starts to take over USB-A in the real world.

    The Mac is a completely different story, that shouldn't even require explanation.
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