The new iPhone is getting a smaller socket on the bottom -- which is bad news for your cables, docks and speakers. Fortunately iMore reports that Apple plans a special adaptor to save your docks.
Leaked photos reveal the new iPhone is expected to feature a new 19-pin connector port in the bottom for charging and connecting to your computer or audio accessory, such as an iPod dock or speakers. The problem is those accessories and all your existing cables match the larger 30-point dock found in iPhones, iPads and iPods over the last few years.
That means all those cables and accessories could be obsolete when you upgrade to a new iPhone -- unless Apple includes an adaptor. I hope it has a smiley face like the micro-USB adapter, pictured above.
Why would Apple deliberately ruin all the accessories you already own? Even the smallest saving of space inside a phone makes a difference, allowing more space for a battery or other components like a 4G chip, all squeezed into a thinner case. Of course, a cynic would argue that Apple gets to sell you new cables and accessories all over again.
An adaptor would prove the cynics wrong, but I can't help being dubious about the possibility of Apple chucking in an adapter. An extra doohickey just to make your phone carry out basic tasks is a decidedly un-Apple move, and hardly fits with the 'it just works' principle. I can't see Steve Jobs approving extra bits and pieces in the box.
More likely, Apple will sell an adaptor separately, meaning you won't have to buy a bunch of new docks and speakers, but it'll still cost you. Like the man said, if they ain't got you one way they've got you another.
Other space-saving measures in the new iPhone include a smaller nano-SIM, as well as a potentially slimmer screen design. Leaked photos also reveal that the iPhone 5 will sport a 16:9 widescreen display when turned sideways for watching movies without black bars, which will make the phone longer and could stop it fitting into docks and accessories with enclosed slots for the phone.
Pocket-lint reports that Apple are quietly encouraging dock builders to move to wireless connection between phone and speakers to avoid being left behind by changes such as these.
Would you shell out for an adaptor to save your dock, or is Apple ripping you off? Tell me your thoughts in the comments or on our Facebook page.
Android App 
RSS Feeds 
iPhone App 
Newsletters 
Comments 13
Add your comment
anonymous 24 July, 2012 13:01
Isn't Steve Jobs dead?
anonymous 24 July, 2012 13:02
The picture you had rendered would not be of any use, unless you wanted to plug the new adaptor into a old device.
It would have to have a 30 pin female input at the bottom and a 19 male connector at the top
Nice try but no prize this time!
Marc Crane 24 July, 2012 13:05
There's also the persistant rumor of the headphone socket being moved to the bottom. As the smaller docking connector is obviously a lot narrower, I wonder if there'll be a iPod Shuffle Dock-like 3.5mm jack added to Docks/Stands for added stability.
anonymous 24 July, 2012 13:12
All this would do is allow you to plug your old device into the new cable. It should be the other way around. How stupid can you get. I hate idiots.
anonymous 24 July, 2012 13:48
"...but I can't but help but be..."
Really tho?
anonymous 24 July, 2012 14:04
The image is of a current, commercially available micro-USB adaptor, as alluded to in the article. If you braying chimpanzees bothered to read it you would know this. Now shut up.
Rich Trenholm 24 July, 2012 14:21
Well spotted, anonymous, that's a lot of buts
anonymous 24 July, 2012 14:28
Don't Samsung devices have a USB connector on the bottom!? Wouldn't that be Apple copying Samsung's design!! ;-)
anonymous 24 July, 2012 15:51
That photo cannot be right.
The new iPhone will be getting the 19 pins. So it should be that connector being the part going into the iPhone and there being a 30 pin input from the older iPhones.
Otherwise this photo is basically showing the new iPhone connector powering up older iPhones. Like I say, this photo cannot be right.
anonymous 24 July, 2012 16:37
OMG the article says it's a micro-USB charger, not the new adaptor!!
anonymous 24 July, 2012 18:54
anonymous 2 down has it nail on the head? the render of this is idiotic, yes there may be the need for this adapter for new model docks and older iPhones, but the length of it would dramatically risk the top heavy weight of an iPhone to bend the new connector in the dock unless properly adapted. write a story about one adapter and show a rendering of another... nice one Cnet
TechnoMo 25 July, 2012 16:39
Stupid CNet, always getting it wrong. Apple are doing the new port to get more money obviously!
anonymous 10 August, 2012 14:46
Steve Jobs is very unlikely to approve extra bits and pieces like an adapter being included in the box. Mostly on account of him having been dead for nine months...