Apple ‘is scrapping iconic iPhone feature after 10 years’ — and it’s going to cost you

THE next iPhone could be the last to come with Apple’s distinctive charging cable in a radical change of course.

Apple has long resisted the move to USB-C, the connector used by most other modern smartphones.

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But it looks like the company is finally ready to bite the bullet.

According to well-known iPhone experts Ming Chi Kuothe change could happen on the iPhone 15 in 2023.

He said the latest hint is that “iPhone will ditch the Lightning port and move to the USB-C port.”

“USB-C could improve iPhone transfer and charging speeds in hardware designs, but final specs still depend on iOS support,” he tweeted.

“Existing USB-C related suppliers of the Apple ecosystem (e.g. IC controllers, connectors) are expected to become the focus of the market in the next 1-2 years thanks to the huge orders of iPhones and the introduction of USB-C ports through accessories.”

Apple has already switched to USB-C for its iPad devices.

It is also used on Macbooks.

But in recent years, the company has been pressured to shift iPhones as well.

The EU has planned new rules that will force tech giants to use the same connector standard, arguing that this will limit the number of people having to pigeonhole lots of different cables.

Apple has been using the Lightning port on iPhones since 2012.

It is much thinner than its predecessor and has 8 pins instead of 30.

Apple has full proprietary control over the Lightning cable – if the rumor that they are planning a switch is confirmed then Apple will open the door to competitors.

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