Apple Might Kill All Ports On iPhone 13

Ports have been around for years and Apple - with its nature to challenge everything, might make the world’s first port-less phone.

Back in 2012, Apple axed its own accessories when it switched to a Lighting port. But even the port doesn’t stay forever. If recent rumors hold true, the Cupertino tech giant is planning to make a port-less iPhone, which explains why it introduced MagSafe with iPhone 12 – to prepare for the day the port-free handset arrives.

MagSafe minimizes the reliance of users on wired charging and while the port is still on iPhone 12 lineup, Apple has removed the wired earphones and wall adapter from the box.

With the wireless charging option in place, it seems like a port-less future is inevitable. MagSafe is the first step for the company to achieve a cord-less ecosystem.

This isn’t a new idea at all and Apple isn’t the first to take it seriously either. A handful of Chinese phone makers have introduced their own port-less phones and to be sure if the iPhone maker wants to jump on the bandwagon, we will have to wait and see what it has up its sleeves for iPhone 13.

Apple Is Making More Of Its Accessory Obsolete

Ports have been handling three important tasks, which are audio output, charging, and data transfer.

Before MagSafe, Apple introduced iCloud and AirDrop to transfer data and wireless AirPods. So if it’s serious about eliminating ports, Apple has been preparing for a few years now.

MagSafe Offers A Clue As To How Apple Makes More Things Wireless

Apple has had its own wireless charging solution but to make people embrace the idea of a no-port tech world, it needs to expand to other wired accessories too.

MagSafe offers us the clue on how the Cupertino tech giant intends to do so - its magnet

Apple Is Advancing The Wireless Charging Technology

After holding back for many years, Apple finally embraced the wireless charging technology back in 2018 when it made its iPhone 8 and iPhone X Qi-compatible.

When the support was first introduced, Apple limits the ability to just 5 watts but later boosted it to 7.5 watts, pointing to a possible conclusion that wireless charging isn’t an added feature but a must-have ability.

Apple made MagSafe charges twice as fast as Qi chargers, offering 15 watts of power. Oppo and Xiaomi are one step ahead of Apple in this respect but overall, the trend here is clear.

For so long, the wireless charging option has been much slower than its wired counterpart but things are changing in favor of the former.

Oppo introduced AirVOOC this year with the capability of charging at 65W. In other words, the technology can fill a battery in just half an hour. Xiaomi is on the way to make its own 80W charger that can top up a 4,000 mAh power cell in less than 20 minutes.

Apple Has Never Shown Mercy For Old Tech

Apple has kept the habit of axing technology so familiar with users even if the public mourn them for years after they are gone. One of the prime examples is the headphone jack or the DVD disc driver.

While the moves might be considered too bold or even reckless, Apple has set an example for other phone makers to follow. Google, Samsung, and OnePlus bid farewell to the headphone jack soon Apple did.

People are still buying from Apple every year, proving that the idea of wireless accessories isn’t too bad or hard to accept.

Port-less iPhones Mean More Expensive iPhones

According to Ming-Chi Kuo, an Apple analyst, the tech giant might introduce its first port-less phone in 2021, which helps to set the top-tier phones and the base-model handsets apart.

So if his words are to believe, iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max will probably be port-fee while the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Mini will still carry Lighting ports.

Widening the gap between iPhone models is also considered a move toward more expensive iPhones.

There are people with a deep pocket for hardware and want to stay on top of the trends. They will make the perfect customers for Apple’s fancier handsets.

Apple Isn’t The First To Embrace The Idea

Apple isn’t always the pioneer at anything.

It isn’t the first to introduce a 5G phone and we haven’t seen a foldable iPhone yet despite the success of Samsung and Huawei.

Vivo has beat Apple to it with the Apex concept phone made public last year. The handset is button- and port-free, but it hasn’t made it to the market yet.

No Ports – No Water, No Dust Getting Inside

People seldom think of durability when port-less phones are mentioned as the fuss-free experience of having no cord has taken all the limelight.

However, it’s worth pointing out that when there are fewer ports, there is less of a chance for dust or water to penetrate the phone.

Apple has also pivoted its attention to durability with the Ceramic Shield on iPhone 12 this year. In 2016, it introduced a water-resisting iPhone. So if the company does have durability in mind when deciding to go port-free, it has already had some of the conditions in place.

>>> iPhone 13 Rumors: We Might Have A Port-Less iPhone With A Waterfall Display