Lightning or USB C: Which Would The Next Generation Of iPhones Use?

For over a decade, Apple’s proprietary lightning connector has been the requirement for charging different hardware products and connecting to other peripherals. In 2012, the current 8-pin connector replaced the 30-pin dock connector, which powered the iPad 2, iPhone 4, and iPod Touch. There may be changes in the nearest future as the European Union has agreed on the USB-C port as the single charging solution for cameras, smartphones, and tablets by 2024.

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This new charging regulation, which will also extend to laptops and notebooks later, recommends a single USB-C charger for small and medium-sized mobile devices from different manufacturers, hence reducing e-waste and encouraging sustainability. Manufacturers will be required to define the charging characteristics of their products and consumers would retain the option to include or exclude a charger when buying a product.

	Lightning	USB-C
Introduction	2012	2014
Pins	8	24
Transfer Speed	Up to 480Mbps	Up to 40Gbps
Compatibility	Exclusive to Apple	Most mobile and portable devices

Implications For Apple

USB-C not only offers faster charging and transfer speeds; most portable device makers already conform to this standard. This move could force Apple to swap out its Lightning port for the USB-C on future models of the iPhones, iPads, and other products. There are very slim chances that the company would adopt the adapter approach it used when the micro-USB became a regulation. This would have seen all models headed for Europe include a Lightning to USB-C adapter.

With the regulation set to take effect in 2024, Apple has reportedly started testing the USB-C port on iPhones. It already has products such as the 2018 iPad Pro ((3rd-Gen) and 12-inch MacBook Pro (2015) which include the USB-C standard. Unless there are last minute changes, 2022 iPhone models (iPhone 14 series) are expected to arrive with the lightning connector. However, models beyond that could unsurprisingly sport the universal USB-C port or wireless charging/data transfer.

Cover Image via BBC