iPhone 13 Likely to Drop Another Standard Feature [Updated]

Apple has been rumored to make an iPhone with no external ports for some time, in an effort to make a more singular and cohesive design. With the launch of MagSafe on the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro, it is now looking more likely than ever that at least some of next year's "iPhone 13" will drop the Lightning Connector and have no ports at all.

magsafecasedangle

Instead of switching to USB-C, the 2021 iPhone is more likely to drop the port entirely. Reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said in 2019 that Apple would release a high-end iPhone in 2021 that offers a "completely wireless experience" with the removal of the Lightning port.

If Apple is to release only one iPhone 13 model with no ports, it seems likely that it would be the high-end "iPhone 13 Pro Max" model. Kuo suggested that dropping the port would create more differentiation between the high-end models.

Though the development of wireless technologies such as AirDrop, iCloud, and Qi wireless charging have made a wireless iPhone feasible, without doubt the biggest advancement has been MagSafe with the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro.

Although it was initially rumored earlier this year that the iPhone 13 would drop the Lightning port in favor of an iPad-like Smart Connector, it now seems more likely that MagSafe is the charging solution destined for the portless iPhone.

However, MagSafe does not allow for data transfer. To remove all ports on the iPhone, Apple will have to develop a reliable alternative means of transferring data for Apple CarPlay and diagnostics, so there is still a chance that the Smart Connector may come to the iPhone in some way for this purpose.

Update: Upon releasing its selection of leather cases for the iPhone 12 lineup, Apple has explicitly cautioned that the MagSafe Charger may damage cases. Amid concern that the MagSafe Charger may damage silicone cases, Apple has directly addressed the issue and included an image on the storefront of how the charger may leave a circular imprint on its leather case over time.

Considering that Apple has gone as far as to directly show how ‌MagSafe‌ accessories can permanently imprint its cases, it seems highly likely that the company expects many users to experience the issue. If Apple plans to completely replace the Lightning Connector with MagSafe in the future, iPhone customers may have to get used to this new kind of wear and tear.

Related Roundup: iPhone 13
Related Forum: iPhone

Popular Stories

iphone se 4 modified flag edges

iPhone SE 4 Details: Action Button, USB-C Port, Face ID, and More

Wednesday September 27, 2023 1:34 pm PDT by
Significant changes are expected to arrive with Apple's fourth-generation iPhone SE, in terms of both design and hardware, MacRumors has learned. The iPhone SE 4, known internally under the codename Ghost, is expected to receive a new design derived almost entirely from the base model iPhone 14. According to our sources, the iPhone SE 4 will use a modified version of the iPhone 14 chassis...
iOS 17

Apple Releases iOS 17.0.2 and iPadOS 17.0.2 for All iPhones and iPads

Tuesday September 26, 2023 12:47 pm PDT by
Apple today released iOS 17.0.2 and iPadOS 17.0.2 updates, with the software coming five days after the releases of iOS 17.0.1 and iPadOS 17.0.1. Today's iOS 17.0.2 and iPadOS 17.0.2 updates arrive as build 21A351 and can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. Note that iOS 17.0.2 was previously made available for iPhone...
iOS 17

Everything New in iOS 17.1 Beta 1

Wednesday September 27, 2023 1:57 pm PDT by
Just a week after releasing iOS 17, Apple has seeded the first beta of iOS 17.1 to developers. iOS 17.1 adds some features that Apple promised were coming to iOS 17 in the future, plus it refines and improves some existing features. This guide covers everything new in the first iOS 17.1 beta. Apple Music Favorites You can favorite songs, albums, playlists, and artists in the iOS 17.1...
iPhone 15 Pro lineup

iPhone 15 Pro Overheating Concerns Highlighted in Two More Reports

Thursday September 28, 2023 6:25 am PDT by
iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max overheating concerns continue to make headlines this week, with the topic highlighted by The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg. Both of the reports document anecdotal complaints from customers, and outline potential causes, but it's unclear how many devices are actually affected. Bloomberg said the overheating could be caused or compounded by the iPhone's setup...
iPhone 15 Pro Lineup Feature

Kuo: iPhone 15 Pro Overheating Issues Likely Due to Thermal Compromises, Not 3nm Node

Tuesday September 26, 2023 9:12 am PDT by
Complaints about heat issues with the iPhone 15 Pro models are not related to TSMC's 3-nanometer node that was used for the A17 Pro chip, according to well-respected Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Kuo says that overheating could be caused by "compromises made in the thermal system design" that allowed Apple to cut down on the weight of the iPhone 15 Pro models. Kuo says that the reduced heat...
iPhone 15 USB C Port Keynote

Some USB-C Power Banks Fail to Work With iPhone 15

Thursday September 28, 2023 2:06 pm PDT by
Apple added a USB-C port to the iPhone 15 lineup this year, allowing it to work with USB-C cables, USB-C power banks, and more. It turns out that some USB-C battery packs are not working properly with Apple's iPhone 15, resulting in charging issues. As highlighted on Reddit and the MacRumors forums, not all existing USB-C power banks can be used with the iPhone 15 models, perhaps due to the...
Mac Gaming

Apple Explains How Game Mode Works in macOS Sonoma

Wednesday September 27, 2023 2:24 am PDT by
In macOS Sonoma, Game Mode prioritizes CPU and GPU performance for gaming purposes on Macs. For those unfamiliar with Game Mode, Apple on Tuesday published a support document providing more information on how to use the new feature. Game Mode optimizes your gaming experience by giving your game the highest priority access to your CPU and GPU, lowering usage for background tasks. And it...