A report published by the Israeli tech blog, The Verifier, alleges that Apple’s proprietary Smart Connector port will debut for the first time on the company’s upcoming iPhone 8 flagship, and will facilitate features including contact-based wireless charging, as well as unknown augmented and virtual-reality (AR/VR) applications.
Apple’s magnetic Smart Connector, which first debuted on the 12.9-inch iPad Pro before making its way onto the 9.7-inch variant, has thus far been utilized for the sole sake of connecting to Apple’s Smart Keyboard accessory. The port is able to transfer data, and power, so it’s possible that Apple could utilize the Smart Connector on iPhone 8 to facilitate a wireless charging protocol.
Wireless charging is already slated to be one of iPhone 8’s more prominent features, in addition to its rumored 5.8-inch OLED display, IP68 dust- and water-proof certification, advanced 3D imaging with facial recognition, and much more. It’s unknown, however, what type of wireless charging protocol Apple will employ on the device, as reports thus far have conflicted.
This wouldn’t be the first time Apple was rumored to introduce its Smart Connector on an iPhone model. Early last year, well ahead of the now middle-aged iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus unveilings, the popular Japanese blog Macotokara issued a report indicating that Apple’s Smart Connector would see its way onto the 2016 flagships. As we all know by now, that turned out not to be the case.
In retrospect, though, there would have been little reason to introduce the feature on iPhone 7 especially given the device’s ominous lack of wireless charging capabilities or compatible accessories that could take advantage of the port. However, given the anticipated game-changing nature of Cupertino’s iPhone 8 — which could also be christened ‘iPhone Edition’ — it’s a bit more likely that the company has taken the extra year or so to develop peripherals that can take advantage of the Smart Connector.
These could include proprietary wireless charging pads, or even a mix of some AR/VR accessories, as The Verifier report suggests. We currently have no information in regards to what form these AR/VR applications could embody, however it’s worth noting that while Apple’s magnetic Smart Connector can transfer data at unknown speeds, the strength of its magnetism isn’t particularly strong — a la MagSafe, for example. So if the company were to unveil some sort of AR/RV peripheral, such as a headset, the iPhone 8 would more than likely have to be secured by additional forms of support.
The Verifier is a relatively young outlet as far as rumors and news is pertinent, however, so while we can’t outright discount the credibility of this rumor, we would still recommend taking it with a grain of salt until further notice.
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