iPhone 8 to Adopt USB-C Connector February 28 2017
According to The Wall Street Journal and other sources, the iPhone 8 is rumored to be replacing the Lightning connector with a USB-C port.
Apple introduced their proprietary Lightning connector in 2012, which replaced the analog 30-pin connector which was used in all iPhones up until that time.
You may be asking yourself, what's the advantage of USB-C over Lightning? Here's a quick rundown:
- It's small. The new port is half the width and one-third the height of a standard USB connector and only slightly larger than Apple's Lightning or the micro-USB connectors.
- It's reversible. Unlike older USB cable, it doesn't matter which side is up with a Type-C plug; you can insert it either way.
- It's fast. Type-C ports can transfer data using the zippy speeds of the latest version of the USB protocol -- up to 10 gigabits per second (called superspeed+).
- It's powerful. The new connector can provide up to 100 watts of power, enough to power a laptop.
- It's flexible. Via adapters, users will be able to connect older devices to Type-C ports, even devices that use non-USB technologies, like DisplayPort, VGA and Ethernet.
Apple has a lot invested in their Lightning technology. But, USB-C is incredibly flexible. It will even handle Thunderbolt connections.
What are your thoughts? Do you think Apple should invest more into their Lightning technology, or shift to USB-C to replace the technology entirely?