Introduction

Since the release of the first iPhone in 2007, spanning over 16 years, Apple has launched a total of 42 iPhone models. In a previous ChargerLAB analysis, we examined the battery capacities of each iPhone generation. To sum it up, the iPhone with the largest battery capacity (iPhone 15 Pro Max) had 3272mAh more capacity than the smallest (iPhone 3G), which is equivalent to an additional iPhone 15 Pro's worth of battery capacity. That's quite crazy!

When it comes to port types, the recent shift to a USB-C port in the iPhone 15 series is undoubtedly good news for users. But this leads to the question: how long will Apple continue to use USB-C in iPhones? Is there a pattern to Apple's port changes? Today, we will attempt to analyze this by summarizing the charging ports used in Apple products from the original iPhone to the iPhone 15 series.

30-Pin Dock Connector

For gen Z, it might be unfamiliar, but the 30-Pin Dock Connector was originally introduced with the 3rd generation iPod classic all the way back in 2003. In 2007, Apple introduced the iconic original iPhone, marking the first appearance of this connector on an iPhone. Interestingly, due to the large number of pins, two pins of this connector were never used until it was replaced by the Lightning port.

The 30-Pin Dock Connector served in Apple phones for nearly five years, and in Apple's early products, it performed its duties well. It had a multitude of pins and supported the native USB 2 protocol, allowing the iPhone to perform various USB 2 functions without requiring a conversion chip. It could handle various protocol connections, audio, and video analog signal outputs. However, it had one fatal flaw – it was too large, and Apple urgently needed a more advanced port.

Lightning

Fast forward to September 12, 2012, when Apple introduced the brand new Lightning port in a special event at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco. This day marked the official replacement of the 30-Pin Dock Connector that Apple had used for nine years, and it was around five years of service in iPhones.

Compared to its predecessor, the greatest advantage of the new port was its 80% reduction in size. This allowed for more internal design space within the phone, and it made the iPhone 5, the first device to feature the Lightning port, the "lightest iPhone ever" according to Apple. The new port had symmetrical 8-pin contacts on both sides, meaning it could be inserted either way. Apple claimed that the Lightning port was not only easier to use but also more durable and versatile. Starting in 2017, it introduced PD fast charging protocols for iPhone 8, 8 Plus, and X, further enhancing its capabilities.

Initially, the Lightning port became synonymous with advanced charging. However, with the release of the USB-C port, which also supported reversible insertion and offered superior performance, things began to change. Specifically, the Lightning port, designed for its compactness, ease of use, and simplicity, had only 16 pins in total. In contrast, the USB-C port has 24 pins. This limitation meant that the data transfer rate of the iPhone was capped at the USB 2.0 level. Additionally, due to the fact that only one pair of contacts was used for power delivery, the Lightning port had limited current-carrying capacity. Therefore, despite the addition of fast charging technology, Apple could only provide low-power charging. All these inconveniences led to increasing calls within the tech industry for Apple to replace the Lightning port, and the time for a change had come.

USB-C

In the 2023 Apple Fall Event, Apple finally introduced the highly anticipated iPhone 15 series with a USB-C port. The adoption of the USB-C port marked the end of Apple's ten-year history with the Lightning port. Since the USB-C port is now widely used in the world of Android smartphones and various tech products, this change ended the hassle for Apple users who previously needed to carry at least two cables while on the go. It also effectively reduced electronic waste, aligning with Apple's recent strong push for environmental sustainability.

The more versatile USB-C charging port allows for charging iPhones, Macs, iPads, and the new AirPods Pro (2nd generation) with just one cable. Moreover, this USB-C port supports reverse charging, enabling users to charge AirPods or Apple Watch directly with an iPhone, enhancing the overall user experience. However, it's worth noting that this is not a new feature in the Android world. The USB-C port on the Pro version takes things further, supporting USB 3.0 and achieving data transfer speeds of up to 10 Gbps.

Summary of ChargerLAB

In terms of quantity, among the 42 iPhone models released by Apple from iPhone 2g to the iPhone 15 series, a staggering 33 models featured the Lightning port. This is more than three times the combined total of 30-Pin Dock Connector and USB-C port models, generating significant profits for Apple.

To sum it up, before the introduction of USB-C, the relatively advanced and less flawed Lightning port served in iPhones for 11 years. USB-C, with its greater pin count and versatility, is likely to match or even surpass this record. However, this port is not perfect. For instance, in charging setups that use the USB-C port, the more delicate connector is undoubtedly on the charging device's side, such as the phone or tablet. This means that if this connector becomes damaged, the replacement can only be the more expensive devices like phones or tablets. How long it will continue to exist in iPhones? Only time will tell.

Related Articles：
1. From iPhone 2G to iPhone 15 Pro Max: A Battery Journey
2. How Fast It Can Be? iPhone 15 USB-C Reverse Charging
3. Up to 29W | Charging Compatibility Test of Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max