Bloomberg: Apple is testing iPhones with USB-C port and adapters to Lightning

Apple has reportedly started testing iPhones internally with a USB-C charging port. Adapters are also in the works to make future iPhones compatible with accessories that still use a Lightning port.

The tests would be conducted to comply with upcoming European Union legislation, anonymous reports said sources opposite Bloomberg. It is almost certain that Apple will eventually be forced to get rid of its own Lightning connections. By contrast, according to the sources, the iPhone maker plans to use a USB-C connector in new iPhones by 2023 at the earliest.

The adapters would then be intended to connect existing accessories with a Lightning connection to a USB-C port. Many third-party gadgets for the iPhone, including MagSafe batteries and third-party products, currently use the Lightning standard to connect to an iPhone.

Although iPhones currently use a Lightning connection, Apple has been working on the switch to USB-C for some time. Many of the brand’s new tablets and PCs, such as recent iPad Pros, iPad Airs, Macs and MacBooks, already use a universal USB-C port for power.

In short, only new iPhones and regular new iPads still use Lightning ports, which leads to a lot of discussion. The European Commission has been advocating a general adoption of USB-C for portable electronics for some time and has recently received support for this from the European Parliament. According to Apple, switching to a single charging port is not a good idea. “Enforcing [één universeel connectiestandaard] harms European consumers by hindering the introduction of favorable innovations in charging standards, for example in terms of safety and energy efficiency.”

USB-C port incorporated into an iPhone X, image via Ken Pillonel