Another Proprietary Port? Apple Vision Pro Battery Adopts a Detachable Cable Design

Seven months ago, Apple astonished the tech world by revealing the "one more thing" – the Apple Vision Pro, during WWDC23. We previously did a series of articles for it, you can go to the homepage for more content.

On January 19, the Apple website opened pre-orders for the Apple Vision Pro headset, which officially became available for purchase on February 2. Simultaneously, Apple introduced the companion accessory, the Apple Vision Pro Battery, providing users with an unrestricted and extended mixed reality experience.

The Apple Vision Pro Battery provides up to 2 hours of general use or 2.5 hours of video watching, supporting PD charging to allow users to charge while using, thereby extending usage time. Recently, Ray Wong from Inverse leaked information suggesting that the cable of the Apple Vision Pro Battery features a novel type of connector and employs a detachable design.

Another Proprietary Port? Apple Vision Pro Battery Adopts a Detachable Cable Design-Chargerlab

From leaked images, it is apparent that next to the USB-C port on the Apple Vision Pro Battery, there is a detachable hole. Users can use a SIM card ejector pin to puncture the power bank pinhole, allowing them to disengage the cable by pushing aside the locking mechanism. This mechanism closely resembles the SIM card slot found in modern smartphones.

The charging cable of the Apple Vision Pro Battery is intricately woven and braided, sharing the same material as Apple's latest generation braided cables. However, the cable is noticeably thicker than the standard iPhone charging cable.

In terms of connector design, it closely resembles the now-outdated Lightning port used in iPhone 14 and older iPads but is 1.5 times wider, with 12 pins instead of the previous 8. The increased number of pins suggests a higher performance limit for data communication or power transmission.

Describing the appearance of the connector as "short, fat, and thick," it lacks an additional protective sleeve, and it can sit flush with the battery casing when inserted. Notably, there are grooves on both sides of the connector, serving as locking mechanisms that require a SIM card ejector pin to be inserted, lifting the locking mechanism to detach the cable.

The connector's interior structure is solid, featuring a dual-sided contact design similar to Lightning. In contrast, USB-C connectors have a hollow interior. Additionally, a faint "Apple A2751 China" marking can be discerned on the terminal cover, indicating that the cable is manufactured in China.

Summary of ChargerLAB

In conclusion, while Apple's innovation with the Apple Vision Pro and its proprietary port showcases the company's commitment to pushing technological boundaries, it also raises concerns about the potential drawbacks of adopting yet another proprietary standard.

The exclusive nature of the port could lead to compatibility issues, limiting user options and fostering a closed ecosystem. This approach may not only inconvenience users but also reinforce the perception of Apple's proprietary practices, potentially hindering collaborative advancements within the broader tech community. Time will tell whether the benefits of this proprietary port outweigh the drawbacks, but it is clear that the move is not without its share of skepticism.