When Android smartphones still used micro-USB cables, Apple had an advantage: With its Lightning connector, the user didn’t have to worry about aligning the connector. But with the advent of USB-C, Apple has fewer and fewer excuses.
In addition to the fact that the same port for all smartphones, whether Android or iOS, would be handy for users, Apple is also in a hurry to switch its iPhones to USB-C for environmental reasons.
For now, Apple would stick with its proprietary technologies
Nevertheless, an iPhone switch from the Lightning connector to USB-C would still be unlikely at the moment. In any case, this is suggested in an article published by The Verge this week that includes a note that would have been published by analyst Ming Chi Kuo.
In that note, the analyst would have stated that a switch to the iPhone’s USB-C would affect Apple’s MFi activity. As a reminder, this is a program from Cupertino for third-party manufacturers of accessories for their products. And this is a source of income for the Cupertino company.
The Lightning connector would also be more waterproof
In addition to the financial troubles, Apple may also be reluctant to use USB-C, however “The waterproof specification is lower than that of Lightning and MagSafe. “”
Instead of planning a switch from iPhone to USB-C, Apple could set the goal of offering a portless iPhone that can only be charged using MagSafe technology. In the meantime, Apple should continue to use its Lightning connector for the iPhone (while the company has already introduced USB-C on the iPad).
According to The Verge, Ming Chi Kuo would also have made it clear that he doesn’t think Apple will switch to unplugged iPhones anytime soon. In fact, the analyst would have estimated that right now MagSafe hasn’t reached the point where it’s reliable enough to just charge an iPhone.
In any case, Apple could make the iPhone more waterproof with MagSafe. At the same time, it can keep control of the accessories via the MFi program.
No fingerprint scanner on the edge?
Otherwise, the Verge article suggests that Apple likely won’t launch an iPhone with a fingerprint scanner built into a button on the edge (like the iPad Air 4). On the other hand, it is possible that the Cupertino company integrates this sensor on the screen (as with many Android smartphones).
If the Face ID facial recognition system is recognized for its reliability, it will also have reached its limits in 2020 as it became almost unusable while wearing a mask. The return of the fingerprint scanner is also very likely.
Will Apple finally say goodbye to the notch in 2022?
Also note that new rumors have been circulating recently about the design of the iPhone. A priori there shouldn’t be any significant changes in the design of the iPhone 13. On the flip side, Apple was finally able to say goodbye to the notch in 2022 by adopting the bubble for the front camera (like on the Galaxy S21 and Xiaomi’s Mi 11).
