Image Source: Apple

BEIJING, May 11 (TMTPOST) — Apple will transition its new iPhones from the lightning port to USB-C ports in the second half of 2023, Ming-Chi Kuo, an analyst at TF International Securities said on Twitter.

The transition to USB-C ports will reportedly increase iPhone’s data transfer and charging speed. It is also estimated that suppliers of USB-C-related products within Apple’s ecosystem will become the market focus in one or two years. Apple’s iPhone 15 series will become the first batch of iPhones to be equipped with a USB-C port. 

“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 depend on iOS support,” Kuo said in a tweet.

“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,” Kuo said.

iPhone 5, released in 2012, was the first iPhone to have the lightning port. Although the lightning port had received great reviews, its data transfer speed remains to be similar to that of USB 2.0. Users nowadays want faster connection speed. In contrast, Apple’s other products, such as MacBook and iPad, have already been equipped with USB-C ports, providing very fast connection speed while supporting fast charging and DP signal output.

The European Union and the UK have been considering making USB-C ports mandatory on smartphones and other electronics with the intention of reducing e-waste by standardizing chargers and data cables. Apple has been opposing proposals that propose standardizing charging ports.

In March 2021, Kuo said that Apple planned to keep lightning ports on the iPhone for the “foreseeable future” — partly to keep the company’s lucrative Made for ‌iPhone‌ (MFi) program running, and partly for better waterproofing.