Apple Expected to Replace Lightning Port for USB-C in 2023: Kuo

Apple is expected to transition away from its long-used proprietary Lightning port in exchange for USB-C. TF International Securities Apple analyst claims that this transition may happen in time for the iPhone 15 in 2023.

Many Apple users have sought to see Apple ditch its Lightning cable and use USB-C, which has become an industry standard in many ways. As reported by MacRumors, Kuo states that Apple is expected to launch the iPhone 15 lineup during the second half of 2023. While Kuo provides some details, he does not clarify if all iPhone 15 models will see the switch or if USB-C will be relegated to only the Pro models.

(1/2)
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 still depend on iOS support.

— 郭明錤 (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) May 11, 2022

Kuo also states that the swap could potentially improve the iPhone’s transfer and charging speeds. However, it ultimately is up to the phone’s iOS support.

In addition, Kuo says existing USB-C suppliers within Apple’s ecosystem will become the market’s focus over the next two years. This adoption of USB-C support will likely see quite the boon for such suppliers.

In 2012, Apple released its iPhone 5, the first iPhone to introduce the Lightning cable and port. At the time, much of the industry was split between the continued use of micro-USB and the upward trajectory of USB-C. Many corners of the industry have long-adopted the use of USB-C.

Apple has even begun transitioning over to the use of USB-C more and more. Apple’s contemporary iPads commonly utilize USB-C for their faster transfer speeds. It’s proven to be a positive testbed for transferring large files for users. File sizes are only getting bigger on iPhone, so it is increasingly more important for Apple to speak to its users and provide USB-C solutions for its devices.