Previous leaks have suggested that Apple’s next-generation smartphone may feature a smaller dock connector to replace the current 30-pin solution. TechCrunch now claims to have independently verified that the Cupertino-based company is working on adding a 19-pin port to the new iPhone. The new port will reportedly resemble a Thunderbolt port in terms of size, although three independent manufacturers claim the pin-out will be different.
Apple’s 30-pin dock connector has been the standard since the company released its third-generation iPod and hundreds, if not thousands, of accessories have been produced for the current dock connector. With the introduction of the MagSafe 2 connector, however, is it clear that Apple is more interested in slimming down its devices than supporting old accessories.
Robert Scoble, a tech insider, claimed in a comment beneath TechCrunch’s post that the iPhone-maker will adopt the smaller connector to block any unlicensed accessories from connecting to the device. The information comes from an “engineer who is working in the phone world,” who claims Apple is putting chips into both ends of next-generation iPhone accessories to enforce this. Scoble also claims that Apple’s new dock connector will allow for thinner devices and make water damage less likely.
