There’s little doubt that Apple will transition the iPhone from the Lightning charge cable to USB-C. While some wonder whether Apple will go all in on wireless charging, there’s almost no chance that will happen.
Brief history of iPhones and cables
Apple’s history or portable devices and ‘standardised’ cables goes back to the original iPod. The OG iPod connected to a Mac and charged over a 6-pin FireWire cable. But that didn’t last too long before Apple transitioned away from FireWire to USB.
The led to the development of the proprietary 30-pin connector which was used in iPods, iPhones and iPads for almost a decade. While that cable offered many benefits over FireWire, it offered Apple and consumers advantages.
Licensing the connector created a revenue stream for Apple. And the thinner connector meant Apple could slim down the thickness of the devices it created. This was especially noticeable with the first iPads. Before that, tablets were close to an inch thick and not-one thought it was possible to create a useable tablet that was less than 10mm thick.
But the 30-pin connector was not perfect. It was fragile and had to be plugged in the right way up. And after a decade, Apple began the move to its proprietary Lightning connector which was smaller, more robust and could be plugged in either way,
Today, the Lightning connector is used across all of Apple’s portable devices as well as for connecting and charging its keyboards, mine, trackpads, Apple TV remotes and many third party peripherals.
Over the last few years, Apple has added wireless charging to the iPhone. And with the European Union mandating the use of USB-C for charging portable devices, rather than proprietary cables, Apple will begrudgingly ditch Lightning for USB-C. However, some people think Apple could ditch its last remaining external port and go completely to wireless charging. But I don’t think that will happen – yet.
Reason 1 Apple will keep a charging port: charging while travelling
As i was sitting on a plane today, I realised my iPhone had already burned through almost half its battery. Between checking emails, watching some in-flight entertainment and using my iPhone as a hotspot (I almost never use public WI-Fi – I am extremely low trust) my battery was taking a hammering.
But I could easily charge my iPhone from the battery pack I carry when I travel. If I was restricted to wireless only charging, I’d have to make sure that the phone and charger were connected properly. And while MagSafe makes that easier, plugging a cable in is easier and less likely to disconnect if I have to stash everything in my bag.
Reason 2 Apple will keep a charging port: standardisation
Apple has already begun the shift to USB-C. The iPad and laptops have already made the move. Being able to charge all my devices from a single power adaptor and with one cable reduces the number of cables I need to own and carry.
In terms of meeting the EU’s objectives of reducing the number of cables in e-waste, this is a good win.
Reason 3 Apple will keep a charging port: backups to Mac
While I’m a big fan of iCloud backups – more than once, my iCloud backup backup has saved me – there a lot of people that connect their iPhone to a Mac or PC to back it up. A wired backup is, for many people, key. While Apple provides 5GB of free data on iCloud, it’s not enough given the storage capacity of today’s iPhones.
Apple is not quite ready to ditch the charging port. Add to this the massive number of Lightning-based accessories still in use (like the charging station I have on my bedside) and there’s a strong impetus for Apple to retain some form of wired charging. But get ready to buy Lightning-to-USB-C adapters to support legacy devices.
Anthony is the founder of Australian Apple News. He is a long-time Apple user and former editor of Australian Macworld. He has contributed to many technology magazines and newspapers as well as appearing regularly on radio and occasionally on TV.