Apple Currently Undertaking Trials of USB-C for iPhone Devices
Switching up the connector scene, renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo hinted at Apple ditching the Lightning connector for USB-C in future iPhones. This isn't just Kuo's word, Mark Gurman from Bloomberg backs it up with insider info, reporting that tests to implement USB-C are already underway.
For folks tired of the cable jumble, this news is music to their ears. Kuo previously suggested Apple's reluctance to leave Lightning behind due to its better profits in the MFI business and higher water resistance compared to USB. However, the convenience of a singular cable for all devices is hard to deny, and let's face it, Apple loves convenience.
Apple's potential move isn't solely out of goodness, though. EU's Market and Consumer Protection Committee voted to make USB-C universal in small and medium-sized gadgets, pushing companies to adopt the standard. With USB-C, devices would enjoy faster transfer and charging speeds, which Lightning, despite Apple's ecosystem focus on downloads, can't match.
If Apple does swap, it'll mean creating USB-C to Lightning adapters for new, USB-C iPhones or devices, and maybe a tussle for third-party accessory makers. A USB-C iPhone is likely 2023 at the earliest, so no need to postpone purchases just yet.
Meanwhile, Kuo also predicts an Apple TV refresh with a better cost structure in the second half of this year. This price drop would close the gap between Apple's 4K Apple TV starting at $179 and the $50 Roku Streaming Stick with 4K support. Apple TV's premium offerings give them some leeway, but a discount wouldn't hurt.
This shift towards USB-C by Apple could potentially circumvent the need for multiple cables, as the tech industry moves towards a more unified standard. The redesign of future iPhones, potentially as early as 2023, to include USB-C instead of Lightning, would be a significant step in technology's evolution. Gurman's report suggests that Apple is already conducting tests to implement USB-C, indicating a strong possibility of this change.
Apple's potential use of USB-C would offer faster transfer and charging speeds, a significant upgrade from Lightning's capabilities. Assuming Apple follows through with this tech upgrade, third-party accessory makers might need to redesign their products to accommodate the new connector, which could create a temporary market disruption.
Despite EU's push for universal usage of USB-C in small and medium-sized gadgets as a means of promoting greater tech consistency, Apple's decision to adopt the standard is likely driven by both practical considerations and market pressures. The convenience of using a singular cable for all Apple devices aligns with Apple's philosophy of simplicity and user-friendliness.
Moreover, Apple TV might also undergo a redesign, with Kuo predicting a refresh in the second half of the year. This redesign could potentially make Apple TV more affordable, bringing its price closer to entry-level Android TV boxes and Roku devices, thereby addressing the issue of Apple TV's premium pricing.
