Could This Be Apple's New Miniature Dock Connector?

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With Apple's iPhone 5 announcement coming up in just a matter of weeks, the rumors and leaks continue to flow in. The latest of the alleged iPhone 5 leaks are a set of photos from Nowherelse.fr, detailing Apple's rumored miniature dock connector. According to the site, the connector features a 16 pin connection with 8 pins located on each side of the connector.

Although many of the circulating rumors point towards a smaller dock connector in place of Apple's signature 30-pin connector, there have been contradicting accounts to the exact number of pins. Regardless, it's probably safe to say that you'll be needing a whole new set of accessories if the purported change turns out to be true.

We can definitely see the appeal in having a smaller connector, seeing as how Apple's 30-pin connector is several times larger than the micro-usb connectors of its  Android competitors. On the other hand, if you have an older iPhone or an iPod, there'll be an entire new set of car chargers, usb cables and docks you'd have to buy. Perhaps Apple hopes to push for more Apple branded accessory sales? We'll just have to wait until September to find out.

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Tuan Mai
Tuan Mai
Tuan Mai is a Los Angeles based writer and marketing manager working within the PC Hardware industry. He has written for Tom's Guide since 2010, with a special interest in the weird and quirky.
48 Comments Comment from the forums
  • g00fysmiley
    why not just use a frickin usb 3.0 cable... srsly why be difficult it isn't like aftermarket makers aren't just going to make stuff work with it... oh right the royalties on using thier special connectors... god i hate how apple does buisness
    Reply
  • fyend
    Stop with the proprietary crap. There is no need for it in this case. USB seems to work for everyone else, but that would cut into your selling overpriced cables and chargers I guess.
    Reply
  • vant
    The dock connector has much more capability than a USB cable.

    For example: Video out. Many phone manufacturers either use mini HDMI + mini USB, or they just don't support it.
    Reply
  • husker
    fyendStop with the proprietary crap. There is no need for it in this case. USB seems to work for everyone else, but that would cut into your selling overpriced cables and chargers I guess.I believe Apple wants it to be smaller and require less internal device space to allow for slimmer devices. It also may have different power requirements to facilitate faster charging times. Just a guess on my part.
    Reply
  • spartanmk2
    g00fysmileywhy not just use a frickin usb 3.0 cable... Because USB cables and connectors arent "Cool" & "Stylish" enough
    Reply
  • eternalkp
    wow, people won't be able to connect this new iphone to my car vehicle?
    how does this make sense? good job apple.
    Reply
  • TeraMedia
    OMG!! OMG!! New Apple stuff! ISE!! ICW!! Everybody's waiting for the weekend, weekend!
    Umm... really?

    I might be excited to see the pinout differences between Intel 1155 and 1150 to get a glimpse into what they might be adding or taking away. But I have about as much interest in rumored future Apple accessories as my wife has in the OEM part number on her HDD.
    Reply
  • AndrewMD
    eternalkpwow, people won't be able to connect this new iphone to my car vehicle?how does this make sense? good job apple.It's called an adapter. Thank you
    Reply
  • AndrewMD
    spartanmk2Because USB cables and connectors arent "Cool" & "Stylish" enough

    Because USB alone will not support the ton of accessories they current have using the older 30 pin docks. Also as someone else pointed out, USB does not support audio, video, and the numerous other stuff DIRECTLY WITHOUT EXTERNAL SUPPORT as the dock port currently supports.
    Reply
  • AndrewMD
    fyendStop with the proprietary crap. There is no need for it in this case. USB seems to work for everyone else, but that would cut into your selling overpriced cables and chargers I guess.
    Umm, you can buy Apple Dock cables for $5.00 or less online and at numerous dollar store and/or budget stores. Not a big deal. If you really want an Apple branded cable of course its going to cost you...

    Seriously, do you shop for Samsung or Motorola, or HP made microusb cables??????
    Reply