Echoing uber-analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Barclays analysts Blayne Curtis, Thomas O’Malley, and Baylie Harri see the potential for Apple to drop the Lightning connector from at least one iPhone model in 2021.
In a research note provided to MacRumors, the analysts added that the rear-facing camera system on iPhone 12 Pro models will feature 3D sensing based on a time-of-flight solution, as widely rumored. They also expect iPhone 12 Pro models to be equipped with 6GB of RAM, up from 4GB in iPhone 11 Pro models…
[Apple could] remove the Lightning connector from at least one iPhone model in 2021… This could result in wired EarPods being removed from the box, they said.
MacDailyNews Take: Obviously, Apple would not include wired earbuds along with a port-free iPhone.
A port-free iPhone would be perfect for significantly increasing water resistance while also saving space that could be used for more battery or other components – it’s a win-win! — MacDailyNews, December 5, 2019
All of the issues that arise with a completely sealed iPhone can be solved with a “Super Smart Connector” that features high-speed MagSafe charging and data transfer for things like older vehicles with wired CarPlay via a simple magnetic attachment.
Ugh. I’m a repair guy. The bulk of our work, right now, is repairing those f’ing flimsy USB-C connections. Physically speaking, Lightning is waaaaay better.
On laptops you mean?
Physically speaking, USB-C should be used for data only, because like it or not, miniaturization makes it inappropriate for plugging in power at least 1-2 times daily. Apple should bring back MagSafe for power. Even before you trip over it, heavy power cable strung to the nearest wall imparts huge forces compared to, say, a lightweight headphone wire. Too bad Apple and some others forgot all that. On one of my work laptops, both power and USB-C are options for charging, what a concept.
To further eliminate wear, bring back other ports. An analog/digital minijack with Toslink like older MacBook Pros could be used alongside S/PDIF, Ethernet, HDMI, Displayport, and other useful ports. That eliminates the clunky adapters that add unnecessary physical loads on USB-C ports.
How is Lightning in any way a more durable connection than any version of USB? It simply isn’t. In fact, Lightning is actually wimpier than the clunky old 30 pin dock.
Finally – who were members of the USB committee that designed USB-C? Oh, yeah … Apple.
Even so, I’m guessing consumers want all ports to be of the same type and definitely not willing to pay the extra cost for Apple’s Lightning port. I have a couple of devices that use USB-C and I hadn’t noticed they were that flimsy. I use USB-C for nightly charging and it just seems like a simple connector. I’m not tugging or forcing anything so I’m not sure why it would have a tendency to fail any more than a microUSB connector would fail. I’m certain, in the past 40 years or so of computing with Apple products, I’ve never had a connector that failed on me. Some of the products I used for seven or eight years but I certainly wasn’t removing the connectors on a daily basis.
It would be great to have a single connector for all devices. USB-C fits the bill since it can provide the power range needed for laptops and has a similar size to lightning.
My experience with USB-C is that I have not had tripping issues. When I first got my touch strip MBP, I bought a mag-safe adapter. When that stopped working, I started to use the USB-C directly and not had issues.
Got a new work laptop and that is USB-C also. That’s great because I don’t need to carry multiple chargers for my perosonal and work machine. Add on phone etc. to this list then traveling will become simpler since I will need fewer cables and chargers.