According to a report from the Wall Street Journal, more changes could be coming to future iPhone chargers.
The Journal reports that the next version of the iPhone — rumored to be called either iPhone 8 or iPhone X — could jettison its Lightning connector port in favor of a USB-C port.
The next iPhone will also reportedly do away with the traditional home button, and one model could also feature an OLED display. The most expensive model of the next iPhone is expected to be priced at about $1,000.
According to PC Mag, USB-C is the “emerging industry-standard connector for transmitting both data and power,” meaning it's included on devices made by a number of brands. The Lightning connector is currently only used by Apple devices.
Apple introduced the Lightning connector in 2012, doing away with the classic 30-pin dock connector it had used on all previous iPhones and iPods. Apple touted the smaller Lightning connector as easier to use because the charger could be inserted facing either direction.
The smaller charging port also allowed designers to make the iPhone slimmer and sleeker.
Apple initially faced pushback when introducing the new port as older accessories were suddenly rendered incompatible with new-model phones. However, the secondary phone market has quickly adapted to the Lightning connector.
Apple doubled down on the Lightning connector last year when it removed the traditional headphone jack from the iPhone 7. Apple headphones now connect to the device through the Lightning port.
Alex Hider is a writer for the E.W. Scripps National Desk. Follow him on Twitter @alexhider.
