In a newly given patent, Apple visualizes a kind of connectivity port applying a repetition of its magnetic MagSafe charger to charge an iPhone, possibly flagging the way for a future without Lightning.
Submitted to the United States Patent and Trademark Office on Tuesday, via Patently Apple, the license drafts a three-pinned MagSafe charger, like the ones available in older MacBook computers. Apple discusses many various pin designs that would connect the charger to the device. The patent reveals a pin that is more round in one image, while another displays a more flat-surface design.
The patent itself doesn’t refer to an iPhone by name, but an image in the filing portrays what appears to be the bottom of an iPhone with the MagSafe charger idea. Contrasted to the present Lightning port on the iPhone, MagSafe has its benefits. Based on a set of magnets, MagSafe lets the device effortlessly disconnect from the charger if it gets tripped on or yanked.
With the iPhone 12 lineup, Apple reintroduced MagSafe in the appearance of huge circular magnets on the back of the device. Presently, Apple is promoting MagSafe on the iPhone as a place to charge and attach various accessories.
The patent could entail Apple’s long-term vision of turning the present MagSafe charge on the back of the device as a place for accessories, like a battery pack and leave the magnetic MagSafe charger on the bottom in place to charge the iPhone. Executing the idea on a lighter weighted device like an iPhone would probably expect a detaching mechanism applying weaker magnets with more give.
This week, reputable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo poured cold water in expectations that Apple would switch the iPhone to a USB-C connector anytime soon. Kuo states that USB-C has lower specifications corresponded to Lightning and MagSafe. Kuo categorically says that if an iPhone in the future leaves Lighting, it would instantly choose a portless design with MagSafe.
Apple can bring MagSafe back to the Mac. The version of MagSafe anticipated to debut in the forthcoming 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models may feature an identical design to earlier iterations and offer faster-charging speeds.
