Apart from the larger screen for the first time in iPhone's history, Cupertino is also ditching its older and bulkier 30-pin connector for an 8-signal design. The new connector is, of course, much smaller, and thus takes much less space at the bottom of the iPhone 5.
The cable connector is reversible, with pins on both sides, so it doesn't really matter which side you plug it in if you are in a hurry, which is svelte. The reason for the move, except to save space, Apple quoted to be that much of the things that we used to do with cables, are now done wirelessly.
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As for the billions of accessories made for the old connector, there will be a 30-pin-to-8-pin adapter to soothe your transition pains, and can you guess how Apple called the connector (yes, there is a name for it). Why, Lightning, of course.
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Daniel, a devoted tech writer at PhoneArena from 2010 to 2025, has been engrossed in mobile technology since the Windows Mobile era. His expertise spans mobile hardware, software, and carrier networks, and he's keenly interested in the future of digital health, car connectivity, and 5G. Beyond his professional pursuits, Daniel finds balance in travel, reading, and exploring new tech innovations, while contemplating the ethical and privacy implications of our digital future.
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