There’s less than a week to go before Apple unveils its 2018 iPhones, and in the run-up, several rumours have been circulating about the devices.
The latest rumour regards the iPhone XS, and suggests that Apple is making a change to the type of connector you charge the iPhone with.
But don’t worry, you’ll still be able to use your existing Apple cables and chargers.
According to Macotakara , Apple has informed companies that make cables with the "Made for iPhone" label that it will approve third-party USB-C to Lightning cables.
The change is apparently coming to the end you plug into the charger, not the phone. Apple will switch this to USB-C rather than the current, and more familiar, USB-A. Most Android phones use this charging connector already.
Put simply, your old iPhone cable will continue to charge a new iPhone XS with no problem.
The new type of power adaptor will come in the box, and should offer some distinct advantages.
One possible reason for the change is that the EU is currently investigating the waste generated by old electrical products. Apparently we’re chucking away 51,000 tons of electrical waste per year and the EU wants to cut that.
While Apple is unlikely to change the Lightning port on phones themselves, allowing people to use any power adaptor is likely to please both consumers and regulators. Plus it could cut down on waste.
Of course Apple’s newer iPhones also charge wirelessly if you have an optional QI charging pad. This means that, for the first time, the same charger can top up both Android and Apple devices.
The second reason could be to improve charging speeds.
Moving to a USB-C power adaptor would allow Apple to cut the time it takes to to charge your phone substantially.
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Tech site MacRumors ran tests with an iPhone X and discovered that using a USB-C charger allowed the phone to reach 79 per cent in 60 minutes.The standard cables would only get the phone to 39 per cent in the same time.
Apple has already moved its MacBook and MacBook Pro laptops to an entirely USB-C charging system. Shipping new iPhones with a USB-C to Lightning cable would mean they can be connected to these laptops, and share the chargers too.
For the first time we’re seeing phones and laptops all able to use the same chargers – a massive advantage in convenience and waste reduction.
Apple introduced the Lightning port on phones in 2012, replacing the old 30-pin connector.
Changing the port on the phone itself is never easy. Customers tend to be cross that old accessories stop working and it can also generate a lot more waste, as people move to the new standard and discard their old hardware.
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