Reuters: Apple to shrink connector on next iPhone

A Reuters report published earlier today appears to add weight to previous rumours that the next iPhone will sport a smaller, 19-pin connector. According to the report, which cites sources familiar with Apple’s plans, adopting the smaller port will allow the headphone jack to be relocated to the bottom of the device.

The iPhone 5, Apple’s next generation iPhone expected to go on sale around October, will come with a 19-pin connector port at the bottom instead of the proprietary 30-pin port “to make room for the earphone moving to the bottom”, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.

In addition to making room for the headphone port, a smaller connector could also free up space for other components such as a larger battery, or allow Apple to produce a device with a slimmer form factor.

Apple has been using the current 30-pin connector on its devices since 2003, so the switch is bound to upset owners of third-party accessories such as docks, chargers and speakers – which won’t be compatible with the new 19-pin version.

Hopefully though, Apple will release an adapter which will allow those older accessories to be used with the new port.

As someone who hasn’t invested heavily in third-party add-ons for my iOS devices, I wouldn’t be too concerned if the rumours turn out to be true, and nine years seems like a long time to be using the same technology.

Would you welcome a smaller connector?

[Image Credit: Blackpool Creative]