Currently, there is a draft European legislation in the pipeline which will impose the use of a universal port, USB-C, on all manufacturers of smartphones, and other categories of electronic products. Since most Android smartphone makers already use USB-C, this future rule shouldn’t affect them too much.
On the other hand, Apple, which continues to use its proprietary Lightning port on the iPhone, will probably be forced to abandon it in favor of the USB-C port. While waiting for this legislation to come into force, a student, Ken Pillonel, gave us a taste of the future port of the iPhone by modifying an iPhone X, replacing the Lightning port of the device with a USB-C . Although this hack took a while, Pillonel claims that the new port works for both charging and data transfer.
Then, to show that this is also possible, he also modified a Samsung smartphone to replace the USB-C port with a Lightning. And recently, Pillonel also worked on AirPods with USB-C port. “World’s first USB-C AirPods”he wrote in YouTube Shorts (the equivalent of TikTok on YouTube), where he gave a first look at the modification.
Pillonel should share more details about this new modification in a longer video. But we can assume that replacing the port on a pair of AirPods must have been easier than replacing the one on an iPhone.
In any case, these hacks already give us an idea of the changes that Apple will have to operate on its products, once the European legislation comes into force.
Apple is already testing iPhones with a USB-C port
Officially, Apple is opposed to this European project, preferring to keep its proprietary port which allows it to receive royalties from third-party accessory manufacturers. But at the same time, the firm would also prepare for the port change.
This is in any case what was suggested by an article recently published by Bloomberg. According to this, Apple is already testing iPhones in which the Lightning port is replaced by a USB-C. In addition, the firm would develop an adapter to ensure the proper functioning of its future smartphones with the accessories that have been designed for the Linghtning port.
But the Lightning move wouldn’t happen this year, but in 2023. So normally, the iPhone 14 series wouldn’t use USB-C yet.
Analyst Ming Chi Kuo also estimates that the first iPhones with a USB-C port will not be released until the second half of next year. While rumors suggested that Apple could release iPhones without ports to not use USB-C, Kuo explains that this could pose problems because of the limitations of wireless technologies, as well as the “immaturity” of the device. MagSafe ecosystem.
In any case, according to Kuo, the switch to USB-C should be beneficial for Apple customers. In addition to the practical side, this one indicates that USB-C could also improve the performance of fast charging and data transfer, but everything will depend on the support of USB-C functionalities by Apple.
Otherwise, still according to this analyst, this transition would not only concern the iPhone. Indeed, Apple would also plan to switch other products, such as AirPods, Magic Keyboard keyboards or mice, to USB-C.
Source: Presse-Citron
I am a technology author with 8 years of experience in journalism. My writing covers the latest technology advancements and trends, drawing on my expertise in news journalism and social media platforms. I have contributed to major media outlets such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Reuters.
