Apple's Lightning port is here to stay, says analyst; new iPhones to support USB-C charging

Famed Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has expressed his belief that Apple’s upcoming iPhones will, thankfully, support USB-C charging. The Lightning port itself will remain on the iPhone.

A misinterpreted Wall Street Journal report suggested that Apple will ditch the Lightning port for USB-C, but as we pointed out, such a move, while welcome, would make little sense from Apple’s perspective. Lightning is slimmer than USB-C, Apple’s Lightning headphones and accessories will become redundant and Apple will lose the revenue it gets from licensing the port.

It does make sense that Apple replaces the older USB-A to Lightning cables for USB-C to Lightning ones. While faster than USB-A, USB-C’s main advantage is its enhanced power handling capabilities.

Apple has also ditched the USB-A ports on its refreshed MacBook lineup and left dedicated Apple users with no option but to purchase USB-C to USB-A adapters.

The iPhone maker is expected to ship three new phones later this year.

New iPads and a slightly refreshed Mac lineup are expected later this month.

Obviously, we would much prefer it if Apple did indeed adopt USB-C universally. Imagine a world where you only need one cable and one charger. That would be bliss.

But Apple will never have the courage to do something like that.