Apple To ‘Abandon’ Iconic iPhone Feature After 10 Years, Expert Says

Apple could ‘abandon’ one of iPhone’s most well-known features in a bid to improve elements of devices’ speed and design, according to a tech expert.  

Over the years, Apple has introduced various changes to its iPhone range, from voice-controlled personal assistant Siri and touch ID sensors to wireless charging. 

A latest move, according to one analyst, could see Apple change its signature lightning port, potentially turning to focus on the a USB-C port within the next year or two – meaning the change may be introduced by the time the iPhone 15 is introduced in 2023.

Well-known iPhone expert Ming-chi Kuo tweeted: “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." 

Of course, over time, you’ll have noticed iPhones don’t tend to come with all the bells and whistles they once used to. 

This decision came ahead of the release of the iPhone 12 in 2020, in aid of helping the environment and reducing waste. 

“Customers already have over 700 million lightning headphones, and many customers have moved to a wireless experience,” Lisa Jackson, Apple’s VP of environment, policy and social initiatives, previously said. 

“There are also over two billion Apple power adapters out there in the world, and that's not counting the billions of third-party adapters. 

“We're removing these items from the iPhone box, which reduces carbon emissions and avoids the mining and use of precious materials.” 

However, it seems Apple has also ended up saving an eye-watering amount of money after removing the accessories, according to a recent report from CCS Insight. 

The report estimated Apple's savings to be around £27 per phone, and it is believed that the tech giant has sold 190 million iPhones worldwide since ditching accessories. 

Taking into account the cost per phone, in addition to reduced shipping costs from the smaller boxes, the tech giant is estimated to have saved £5 billion ($6.5bn), with an extra £225 million ($295m) in sales thanks to customers buying plugs and earphones. 

While adapters and earphones (not including AirPods, which are still a premium product) cost around £19, they're considerably cheaper to produce, and the report took this into account in calculating Apple's estimated savings. 

Ben Wood, chief analyst at the firm, told MailOnline: “Apple is the phone industry market leader in helping the environment, with removing chargers and headphones one of many things it is doing. 

“But of course there is a cost saving to Apple in removing chargers and headphones when it sells iPhones.”