I’m getting teary-eyed, and I can’t assist it. Why the emotion? Because after years of stubbornly utilizing the Lightning connector on the iPhone, a brand new leak says that Apple will make the swap to USB-C subsequent yr.

I’d usually be fairly skeptical about such a declare, however this one comes from probably the most dependable Apple analysts, Ming-Chi Kuo (by way of MacRumors), who has a formidable monitor file in terms of predicting upcoming releases and options. He wrote in a tweet, citing an unspecified survey, that the iPhone arriving within the second half of 2023—presumably the iPhone 15—will ditch the Lightning connector for USB-C, a change that might improve switch and charging speeds. He famous, nonetheless, that “the final spec details still depend on iOS support.”

Before we give Apple an excessive amount of credit score, the corporate is at the moment being backed right into a nook by the EU’s Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee, which voted last month in support of legislation that may drive firms to undertake USB-C on all small and medium-sized devices. The rule is meant to simplify issues for patrons and cut back e-waste.

Kuo had beforehand mentioned Apple had no intention of swapping out Lightning connectors for USB-C, although the corporate makes use of the iniquitous commonplace on its iPad tablets and Macs. “We believe that USB-C is detrimental to the MFi business’s profitability, and its waterproof specification is lower than Lightning and MagSafe,” Kuo wrote.

G/O Media could get a fee

Save $70

Apple AirPods Max

Experience Next-Level Sound
Spatial audio with dynamic head monitoring gives theater-like sound that surrounds you

It was assumed Apple would then skip the USB-C section and go from a Lightning connector to a totally portless cellphone that relied on wi-fi charging. This approach, it might develop its MagSafe equipment, drawing in income, whereas making its cellphone much more waterproof. Kuo did observe, nonetheless, that MagSafe’s ecosystem isn’t prepared for primetime and that Apple would proceed to make use of Lightning “for the foreseeable future.”

Apple may nonetheless section out ports altogether; if it does, there may very well be an ungainly transition section the place iPhone homeowners might want to exchange their Lightning chargers for USB-C, the port discovered on almost each fashionable gadget moreover the iPhone.

Not everybody shall be in favor of this transformation, and those that have stashed Lightning cables over time shall be understandably infuriated. If it’s any comfort, iPhone homeowners who’re invested in Apple’s ecosystem seemingly already personal a USB-C cable.