Major iPhone Leak: Not iPhone 14, but iPhone 15 may come with the elusive USB-C

iPhone leak: According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple may ditch the Lightning port in favor of the USB-C port with the iPhone 15 which will be launched in 2023. The early rumors predicted that the iPhone 14, which is set for a launch later this year might come with the USB-C port, but it appears that Apple will continue with the Lightning port for at least this year. At this point, it is not clear whether the USB-C port will be for all iPhone 15 models or a select few. This move, if it happens, will be a watershed moment for Apple as the company has stuck with the Lightning port since iPhone 5, even as the majority of smartphones moved towards USB-C port.

Kuo posted on Twitter today, revealing this new information. He tweeted, “My latest survey indicates that 2H23 new iPhone will abandon Lightning port and switch to USB-C port. USB-C could improve iPhone's transfer and charging speed in hardware designs, but the final spec details still depend on iOS support”. He further added, “It's expected to see existing USB-C-related suppliers of Apple's ecosystem (e.g., IC controller, connector) become the market's focus in the next 1-2 years, thanks to vast orders from iPhones and accessories' adoption of USB-C ports”.

iPhone leak: iPhone 15 might switch to the USB-C port

This piece of information is interesting as previously Kuo had stated that Apple would stick with Lightning port because USB-C had lesser waterproof specifications and could be harmful to Apple’s MiFi business. Now, according to the iPhone leak, it appears that Apple has changed its stance.

It is being considered that the recent European Union (EU) mandate might be behind this changed stance. Recently, the EU had voted overwhelmingly in favor of a legislation that stated that all consumer electronics manufacturers who sell devices in Europe should feature a USB-C port, regardless of the manufacturer.

However, it is too late for iPhone 14 to change its specifications so dramatically, so it appears that the USB-C port might make an appearance in Apple devices starting 2023.