A research note from a reliable Apple insider debunks previous report that the Cupertino-based tech giant would remove the Lightning connector. Instead, Apple would allegedly have a USB-C port for the speculated iPhone 8 which would make a lot of accessories used in older models of the iPhone useless.

Retains Lightning Connector

Ming-Chi Kuo, analyst of KGI Securities, in a research note, assures all three 2017 iPhone models would retain the Lightning connector. However, Apple would still adopt the USB-C Power Delivery technology to super-fast charging for the upcoming iPhones, Mashable reports.

Besides the Lightning connector and USB-C Power Delivery, the three 2017 iPhones would also sport new OLED screens, bigger L-shaped battery and updated 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch models, Ming-Chi Kuo's note states. He believes Apple would make those changes since one key technical challenge that faces the 2017 iPhone is ensuring product safety and stable data transmission during fast charge.

TI Power Management System

To achieve that goal, Apple must adopt the power management system of TI and Power Delivery chip solutions of Cypress for the 2017 iPhone models. But the Lightning connector would have a slightly slimmer design compared to the USB-C port to sustain MFi Program licensing income from Lightning accessories, MacRumors reports.

Besides the upcoming three 2017 iPhones, the 12.9-inc iPad Pro supports USB 3.0 speeds and fast charging with a Lightning connector to USB-C cable. But the transfer rate of iPhones and other Apple gadgets with a Lightning connector would remain at USB 2.0 speeds.

The MacBook Pro models of Apple has Thunderbolt 3 ports that share the same connector design as the USB-C. The 12-inch MacBook likewise sports a USB-C port. MacRumors believes that Apple could still bundle a Lightning connector to USB-C cable on the three 2017 iPhones to allow connectivity with the out-of-the-box notebooks.