There have been so many items of proof to help/definitively affirm Apple’s imminent change from Lightning to USB-C on the iPhone these days (exhibit A; exhibit B) that readers may very well be forgiven for rising relatively bored of the topic. However a brand new report suggests the corporate may very well be planning one thing relatively extra sudden.
Whereas trying via the code of tvOS 17.0’s fifth beta final week, an eagle-eyed Apple developer (by way of BGR) noticed references to a complete of six unidentified iPhones:
- iPhone14,1
- iPhone14,9
- iPhone15,4
- iPhone15,5
- iPhone16,1
- iPhone16,2
4 of those, evidently, will probably be solely new fashions set for launch this fall. The iPhone 15 and 15 Plus, and the 15 Professional and 15 Professional Max. However the first two fashions on the checklist stay a thriller.
A number of theories have accomplished the rounds since Aaron made the invention, with some extra believable than others. These might, relatively prosaically, be testing prototypes for inside use solely. Yet another optimistic commenter thinks we’re about to see the iPhone SE 4 (extraordinarily unlikely forward of spring 2024 on the earliest, and possibly not till 2025); whereas an excessive optimist reckons Apple is about to belatedly launch an iPhone 14 mini… which might be attention-grabbing, for positive, however nearly definitely isn’t the case.
A extra convincing however nonetheless intriguing principle is that iPhone14,1 and iPhone14,9 check with up to date variations of present telephones: more than likely the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus however with USB-C ports as a substitute of Lightning. That largely matches with previous conduct; Apple habitually retains the cheaper variations of the earlier yr’s telephones on sale after the launch of a brand new technology, whereas discontinuing the Professional fashions. The corporate presently sells the iPhone 13 mini and 13 from 2021, and the iPhone 12 from 2020. Logically, in different phrases, not less than one of many 14-series will nonetheless be on sale even after the launch of the iPhone 16 in 2024, at which level the EU’s new USB-C rules could have come into impact.
Taking a subtly completely different line, some pundits have recommended that, relatively than the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus, the brand new codes might check with the iPhone 14 and the iPhone 13. In spite of everything, each generations will nonetheless be represented within the Apple Retailer after the iPhone 15 launch, and the corporate might want to hold factor easy for purchasers. In fact, a USB-C port is unlikely so as to add any performance to older iPhones, however it could be good to have the ability to say that each one iPhones now include USB-C ports.
But when that’s the plan, what in regards to the iPhone SE from 2022, which we don’t count on to be discontinued for greater than a yr? There’s no signal of a codename for a USB-C model of that. For that matter, it could nonetheless be unusual for Apple to not trouble making a brand new code for the USB-C model of the 14 Plus, since Plus and Max fashions usually get their very own designation. The dearth of a brand new designator for the SE is odd, so maybe it is going to be refreshed prior to we thought.
No, the more than likely answer to the thriller is that Apple is specializing in the handsets that can nonetheless be on sale after the EU rules kick in, which would come with not less than among the 14-series however not the 13-series. This may create a little bit confusion for the approaching yr, throughout which clients will face a selection between older Lightning iPhones and newer USB-C ones, however it’s not like Apple has been terrified of confusion previously; the iPad was break up between these two requirements for years (and nonetheless is, in the event you embrace the still-available ninth-gen iPad).
The iPhone 15 is anticipated to launch on September 12 or 13. For all the most recent information and rumors, examine our repeatedly up to date iPhone 15 superguide.
