USB-C iPhone 15 in the works, claims Kuo, following supply-chain survey

The only examples of a USB-C iPhone we’ve seen to date have been DIY versions, but Ming-Chi Kuo claims that Apple will make the switch from Lightning to USB-C next year, in the iPhone 15.

The report comes as something of a surprise, as although Apple has adopted USB-C for Mac and iPad, it had seemed the company planned to stick with Lightning until it switches to a completely portless phone …

Background

Apple began its adoption of USB-C for Macs back in 2015, with the 12-inch MacBook. It then went all-in with the 2016 MacBook Pro, before backtracking a little last year by restoring MagSafe, HDMI and SD card slots.

The iPad made the switch from Lightning to USB-C in 2018, with the 11-inch and 12. 9-inch iPad Pro models.

The iPhone was the only core Apple product to have a Lightning connector. Since the iPhone retained the older connector for years after the Mac and iPad adoption of USB-C, the consensus view appeared to be that it would continue to do so until the first portless model.

USB-C iPhone 15 report

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo tweeted today that Apple will make the switch to USB-C for iPhone in the second half of next year, which is to say the iPhone 15.

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.

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.

The reference to USB-C suppliers benefiting for ‘1-2 years’ may indicate that Kuo then anticipates Apple will drop the port altogether.

9to5Mac’s Take

This is a somewhat odd report. Apple made the switch to USB-C iPads in back 2018, so if it planned to do with the iPhone too, we would have expected that to have happened by now.

It should be mentioned that Kuo’s track record is good, but he recently started tweeting only thoughts and opinions rather than any evidence. This tweet however does mention that the tweet is based on Kuo’s “latest survey”, which is talking with suppliers.

Supply-chain reports can be of varying reliability. Apple prefers multiple suppliers whenever possible to ensure it can negotiate lower prices and reduce risks. If, for example, a major supplier of Lightning ports were to report Apple was planning to cut orders next year, that could mean nothing more than a rejigging of competing suppliers.

Similarly, USB-C suppliers who talk about expecting major orders increases next year may simply mean that Apple or other companies increase orders with certain suppliers while decreasing others.

Kuo does seem confident in his interpretation of what he’s hearing from suppliers. Although it is possible that he may be right, we don’t believe so.