We previously reported on a concept video of Apple’s anniversary iPhone 8, one that showed a Smart Connector, similar to the one found on the iPad Pro. A new report from Israeli site The Verifier, reveals that there’s a strong chance that Smart Connector would arrive on the OLED iPhone.
The report stated that Smart Connector would help facilitate wireless charging for the new iPhone 8, but there aren’t any details as to how that would actually happen. Perhaps, Apple is developing a variant of the Smart Connector, in order to provide wireless charging and AR features.
The Smart Connector on iPad Pro models is a port designed to provide power and a data connection to accessories, like keyboards. The magnetic Smart Connector was introduced on the 12.9-inch iPad Pro in 2015, but it’s unknown how much data actually passes through the port.
Smart Connector was believed to arrive on the iPhone 7
It’s worth mentioning that Apple could very well use the Lightning port to connect the iPhone to AR or VR accessories, as some say the magnet strength on the Smart Connector is not ideal. Apple TV hardware and AirPlay would also play a role in Apple’s VR/AR technology for the upcoming iPhone 8.
In April last year, there were several reports indicating that the iPhone 7 could come with a Smart Connector, but they didn’t materialize as the lineup announced last year didn’t feature the port found on the iPad Pro.
Take the information with a grain of salt, as no other reports indicate such a port on the upcoming iPhone 8. What we do know is that the anniversary iPhone will feature an edge-to-edge OLED display, waterproof features, wireless charging and a dual-camera setup on the back. At this point it’s unclear when the OLED iPhone will launch, but it’s expected to be announced in September, together with iPhone 7s and iPhone 7s Plus.
