Reuters: Next iPhone to Have Smaller Dock Connector to Make Room for Headphone Jack

Looks like a smaller dock connector for the next generation ‘iPhone 5’ is coming, according to a report from Reuters, that also seems to confirm the long rumoured story of the headphone jack moving to the bottom of the next iPhone:

The iPhone 5, Apple’s next generation iPhone expected to go on sale around October, will come with a 19-pin connector port at the bottom instead of the proprietary 30-pin port “to make room for the earphone moving to the bottom”, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.

We previously first heard of a smaller dock connector via reports from iMore in February, and thus ‘confirmed’ via TechCrunch. Reuters goes on to report the change would bring new opportunities for accessory makers, but at the same time disappoint existing users that have purchased accessories made for the old port. A smaller port means a myriad of options for Apple, allowing for possibly a thinner design or even better speakers to be implemented.

Below are renders of the rumoured ‘iPhone 5’ based on rumours of the smaller dock connector and moved headphone jack:

Here is a hands on video of a purported iPhone 5 metal shell being compared with the existing iPhone 4S:

As for the smaller dock connector, one would assume it could be Apple’s own proprietary connector, or maybe even a Thunderbolt port, known for significantly faster transfer speeds than USB 2.

Will the change into a smaller port affect your existing Apple accessories?