Another Image of New Lightning Cable with Reversible USB Connector Surfaces - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Another Image of New Lightning Cable with Reversible USB Connector Surfaces

by

Earlier this week, photos claiming to be of a new Lightning cable with a reversible USB connector surfaced. The images were said to be sourced from Apple supplier Foxconn, and were shown in a production stage. Now, frequent iOS device part leaker Sonny Dickson shares a new photo of the accessory, further indicating that a new Lightning cable with a reversible USB connector may be on the horizon:

new_lightning_cable_sd

The current Lightning cable (left) compared to new Lightning cable (right)

While the USB connector on the current Lightning cable is attached to the bottom of its metal housing, the connector of the supposedly newer cable is attached to the center. The structure of the newer cable was also spotted in previous photos, and likely indicates that this is a reversible USB connector. It is also therefore possible that the new Lightning cable could utilize USB 3.0 technology, as current Lightning cables support only USB 2.0. However, no other evidence suggests that the cable could be of the USB 3.0 variety.

Apple could start shipping new cables alongside forthcoming iOS devices starting with the iPhone 6. In addition to a reversible connector, the new Lightning cable could also feature support for high-definition audio playback on Made for iPhone accessories as rumored by Mac Otakara earlier this year. That report further claimed that Apple was preparing a new version of its In-Ear Headphones, which have not been updated since 2008.

Apple also introduced Lightning Cable MFi specifications for headphones in June, paving the way for manufacturers to create products that connect directly to iOS devices via their Lightning port rather than through a regular 3.5mm headphone jack. Those products could also see integration with revamped Lightning cables.

Related Roundups: iPad, iPad mini
Buyer's Guide: iPad (Don't Buy), iPad Mini (Caution)
Related Forums: iPad, iPhone

Top Rated Comments

F
farewelwilliams
152 months ago
hope the decision of using the 1810 mAh battery for the iPhone 6 is reversible
Score: 53 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Dilster3k Avatar
Dilster3k
152 months ago
How embarrassing that Apple did this before USB will with Type C...:rolleyes:

P.S: Am I the only one who wonders how that cable will physically fit into ordinary USB slots on laptops, etc. ?
Score: 32 Votes (Like | Disagree)
johnnnw Avatar
johnnnw
152 months ago
For the love of god please, Apple, don't patent this. :(

I want all my cables to do this now.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
T
technima
152 months ago
Macrumors is wrong. This has absolutely nothing to with USB 3.0 or the recently unveiled USB 3.1 type-c reversible connector. The type of connector pictured has long existed and wasn't invented by Apple. In fact this type of plug has been around since the early days of the USB 2.0 specification and it's not a standardized plug design.

Here is an example of an existing cable for sale with the exact same plug.

http://biz.tigerdirect.com/p/cables-accessories/cables/usb-cables/tripp-lite-usb-2-0-universal-reversible-cable-usb-cable-4-pin-usb-type-a-m-5-pin-micro-usb-type-b-m-1-usb-hi-speed-usb-black

I would be very happy though if this rumor ends up being true. The new type-c plug doesn't work with existing type-a plugs without an adapter (which isn't reversible).
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mdridwan47 Avatar
mdridwan47
152 months ago
Dumb question, but how would this work ?

Nevermind, I found it

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsosQXabPs8
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
S
sparkso
152 months ago
Why publish this drivel, for something to be reversible, it needs to be symmetrical.

You plug this in one way and it will fit, reverse it and it won't, hence its not reversible.

The white part shifts up and down.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Read All Comments