Apple makes it a tradition to make the iPhone thinner and thinner, even if it means that “excess” ports must be sacrificed. One of the latest rumors that is circulating through the Internet is that iPhone has become a truly “wireless” device. Apple is planning on removing the charging port and replacing it with a new wireless charging system. Ming-Chi Kuo, a financial analyst known for his highly accurate Apple predictions, asserted that the next iPhone will include wireless charging. This assertion is supported by the fact that Apple joined the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC), which promotes the Qi magnetic resonance charging specification, in January.
Although many consider Apple to be “late” to the newest technology, allowing others to introduce new technology to the mainstream market, before introducing its own versions. Apple has a history of changing user behavior through user interfaces, signifying that even if Apple is late, its influence stretches beyond the realm of other similar corporations. Because of this fact, Apple may be missing wireless charging completely on the next iPhone, according to Rob Rueckert, the managing director at Sorenson Capital, a private equity and venture capital firm.
In a similar scenario, Apple forced users to abandon the headphone jack and adopt the wireless “Airpods” with the latest iPhone 7 and 7 plus models. This raises one of the main fears of consumers: “If you buy an iPhone 8, or whatever future versions they have, are they going to take it to the point where they only allow wireless charging?” Despite the fears, Apple is most likely going to keep a hardwired charging cord as the WPC’s version of magnetic resonance wireless charging requires the mobile device to be connected directly to the wireless charging pad.
Many consumers are suggesting that both wireless charging pads and charging ports be included in the new iPhone to increase overall functionality. But the main problem with this is that the consumer is essentially paying for a separate wireless charging pad even though the device comes with a built-in charging port that will require a wire be plugged into a wall outlet regardless. Furthermore, adding wireless charging would ultimately go against Apple’s principle of thinner and faster because a copper receiving coil, which would take up valuable space inside the iPhone, is required for wireless charging. Rueckert assured consumers that if Apple was to introduce wireless charging in the next iPhone, it would go all in and not include the traditional charging port that came with every stock device. He goes further on saying that Apple has done a similar thing in the past with the removal of the headphone jack. Many consumers still preferred the iPhone without one of its key components as Apple is a very large corporation with a very loyal following.
Overall, there are three types of wireless charging technologies that are gaining popularity rapidly, including “charging pads that typically use magnetic inductive or resonance technology, which Samsung has adopted in its devices, charging bowls or through surface type chargers, which can charge from a few centimeters away and also use magnetic resonance charging technology, and WiFi-like wireless charging, which is typically known as uncoupled.” David Green, a research manager for the Wireless Power & Smart Utilities Infrastructure Group at IHS, has stated that systems being demonstrated by large companies like Energous and Ossia use Wi-Fi-like charging. The availability of a truly wireless charging experience, where a person could charge their devices from over 10 feet away from the charging pad, will be improbable in the near future. But these major companies have demonstrated wireless charging beyond 15 feet. The actual functionality of these chargers involves sending radio frequency signals that can be received by enabled mobile devices, effectively allowing a wireless charging experience. Whether or not Apple has access to this technology and chooses to implement is currently unknown, but may be an important aspect that Apple may apply in the future.
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