Apple's transition from its proprietary Lightning connector to USB-C appears set to continue with the iPhone 15 and the next entry-level iPad model.
In early May, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said his latest supply chain survey indicated that at least one new iPhone 15 model will feature a USB-C port in the second half of 2023. Shortly after Kuo shared this information, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that Apple was indeed testing prototype iPhone models with USB-C ports.
In his newsletter last month, Gurman also revealed that Apple plans to update its entry-level iPad with a USB-C port. Apple already transitioned the iPad Pro to USB-C in 2018, in addition to the iPad Air in 2020 and the iPad mini in 2021.
Once the iPhone switches to USB-C, Kuo said he expects other Apple accessories to adopt USB-C in the foreseeable future, including AirPods charging cases, the MagSafe Battery Pack, and the Magic Keyboard/Trackpad/Mouse trio. Through its Beats division, Apple already includes USB-C charging cases with the Beats Studio Buds and Beats Fit Pro.
If the iPhone 15 lineup and entry-level iPad switch to USB-C, then Apple would offer USB-C across all of its latest iPhone and iPad models next year.
Last month, the European Parliament announced that it reached an agreement to introduce a new law that would make USB-C the common charging port across all new smartphones, tablets, headphones, and many other electronics by fall 2024.
