When is the lightning adapter coming out

Want to connect an external display? Import photos and videos from an SD card or flash drive? An Apple-approved adapter. With a USB-C iPad, you can simply plug in flash drives and keyboards and displays and any number of useful additions that make those devices better. Apple even made a point of that fact during its latest keynote when announcing the new iPad Mini.

The European Commission's rule could theoretically do the same for iPhones by forcing into existence the USB-C iPhone that Apple has adamantly refused to make thus far.

But the new change may mean that Apple could shift towards or accelerate its plans for a completely portless iPhone instead. Rather than give into USB-C ports, the company could eschew ports entirely in order to shift customers towards using its proprietary charging methods. The iPhone is possibly the most popular device in the world that uses a proprietary charger, and a switch to USB-C would simplify charging setups for the millions of iPhone owners around the world.

Lightning is an established ecosystem that millions of customers already have cables for, with fast data transfer and charging speeds. Like USB-C, it offers waterproofing capabilities, and it gets Apple both its licensing fees and ecosystem control. But a portless iPhone that relies on MagSafe or another wireless standard is a baffling proposition.

It would force millions of customers to have to switch to new chargers, generating tons of e-waste in the process. Measure ad performance. Select basic ads. Create a personalised ads profile. Select personalised ads.

Apply market research to generate audience insights. Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. Daniel Nations. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn. Updated on May 30, Michael Barton Heine Jr. Lifewire Technology Review Board Member. Article reviewed on Jun 09, Tweet Share Email.

In This Article. What Is a Lightning Connector? What Can It Do? Adapters Extend Its Uses. Compatible Mobile Devices. Frequently Asked Questions. The 6 Best iPhone Lightning Cables of Was this page helpful? Some analysts are even predicting that Apple could scrap its charging ports altogether by releasing future iPhone and iPad models that rely solely on wireless charging.

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How likely is this to happen? Trump launches fresh attack on Apple over privacy Apple accused of crackdown on jailbreaking. Why does the EU want this change? Hasn't this happened before? Isn't wireless charging the future anyway?