The rumor mill for the 2020 iPhone has already been churning heavily, but there are also some details available about what Apple may have in store for its smartphone line in 2021. In particular, TF International Securities, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicts that Apple plans to get rid of its proprietary Lightning charging port on iPhones during this particular release cycle.
This potential design change is an interesting turn of events, considering that fans and experts alike have been expecting Apple to transition the iPhone to a USB-C charging port to keep in step with the smartphone industry at large. Most Android smartphones, premium or otherwise, now include this feature, which allows users to plug in their device for charging from any angle (the previous MicroUSB port had an uneven design). However, Apple’s Lightning port has always been congruent and designed with the iPhone’s particular charging needs in mind.
Many have also expected Apple would eventually adopt USB-C on iPhones after transitioning its MacBook models to USB-C, starting in 2015.
Kuo expects Apple will use wireless charging for its 2021 iPhones ones they are released. This is also an interesting turn of events, considering Apple announced in March that it was scrapping plans to create a proprietary “AirPower” wireless charger for its products. The analysts’ report suggests Apple may have continued working on this project in the background, outside of the scrutiny of users and pundits.
After teasing the project during the 2017 launch of the iPhone X, Apple was unable to produce a functioning demo of the accessory, which was intended to be able to charge multiple Apple products at the same time. While Apple works with a number of brands and its official third party accessory suppliers, it seems unlikely that it would unveil a truly wireless iPhone without its own branded wireless charger.
Apple introduced its first premium iPhone without a headphone jack in 2016 with the iPhone 7 series. While many lamented about the change at first, Apple users appear to have gotten used to the dongle life, if not begrudgingly — or opting for wireless headphones, such as Apple’s own AirPods.
If Apple succeeds with launching an iPhone with no charging port in 2021, it would be a step toward the portless smartphone future, on which manufacturers are banking. We got a tease of what hype of a portless smartphone would be like when the Chinese manufacturer, Meizu showcased its concept for a device that would rely completely on wireless charging and connectivity for its functionality. The device was ultimately a marketing stunt and not a real product intended for the market,
With news of Apple’s potential plans circulating it won’t be surprising if we see Android manufacturers actually attempting to bring their own portless smartphones to market before their biggest inspiration and competitor. With outsourcing a good deal of its device assembly factories in China, Apple’s own schematics could end up in off-brand smartphones and wireless chargers before their official launch.
