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Leaked Photo Shows Alleged Smaller iPhone 5 Dock Connector Cable

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The iPhone 5 and the rest of the new Apple products may receive a new dock connector when they launch this fall.

The new smaller dock connector isn’t confirmed, but Veister, a USB cable design and manufacturing company based in China shares images of what it claims to be the iPhone 5 USB cable.

The company shares a photo of the alleged iPhone 5 dock connector cable on Twitter and with iLounge.

iPhone 5 USB Cable

Claimed new iPhone 5 USB cable.

The image shows a typical white iPhone USB cable with a standard USB connection on one end and a new smaller connection on the iPhone end of the cable. It’s not clear if Veister is showing off a prototype of the official iPhone 5 USB cable or an aftermarket replacement.

The iPhone end of the cable looks thinner than the current iPhone 5 dock connector, moving the pins to the outside of the cable instead of inside a metal casing. It’s not clear from this photo if the iPhone 5 USB cable is capable  of fitting in the new iPhone in either direction or if the cable features MagSafe connectivity.

Why a New iPhone 5 Cable

Switching to a new dock connection is a major change for Apple, with ramifications for charging, syncing and using accessories. This isn’t a change Apple would make on a whim. Here are some reasons Apple might switch to a smaller iPhone 5 dock connector, and why it could add this to all the iPhone, iPad and iPod products this fall.

Industry insider Robert Scoble shares 5 reasons the iPhone 5 will use a smaller dock connector.

iPhone 5 dock connector

Smarter iPhone Cable – Apple could use the new cable to lock down knock off cables that don’t pay Apple a licensing fee. A small chip inside the cable could prevent charging and syncing with a cheap unlicensed iPhone 5 cable.

Thinner Gadgets – The thickness of the current dock connector limits the ability to make the iPhone thinner and smaller. By switching to a thinner dock connector Apple might be able to deliver the 7.6mm thin iPhone 5 we’ve heard about.

Waterproof iPhone – The smaller dock connector could play a role in waterproofing the iPhone with technology from HzO or help prevent damage by offering a smaller opening.

Magnetic Connection – As mentioned, Apple could opt to place magnets that guide the cable into the dock connector and allow for easy removal.

Better Microphones – With more space on the bottom of the iPhone, Apple could use better placed microphones, improving Siri’s ability to understand and respond, especially in noisy environments.

iPhone 5 Features

In addition to the smaller dock, leaks and rumors point to a taller iPhone 5 with a 4-inch Retina Display. The new iPhone may be as thin as 7.6mm and should stay about the same width. The larger display would offer 17% more viewing area without a large increase in iPhone 5 size.

Apple is expected to include 4G LTE connectivity in the iPhone 5. This is a first for the iPhone, delivering upload and download speeds much faster than 3G and the faux 4G AT&T advertises. The new iPhone will also possibly use a faster A5X processor with better graphics.

We expect Apple will announce the iPhone 5 at a launch event on September 12th. Rumors suggest Apple will start taking iPhone 5 preorders later that day.

The iPhone 5 release date is not official, but based on cancelled vacations and leaks looks good for September 21st.

Check out GottaBeMobile’s iPhone 5 coverage.

3 Comments

3 Comments

  1. Dan Bonin

    08/23/2012 at 4:33 pm

    This article addresses the one thing that I don’t like about apple, I know they want to make money, but this new proprietary charging port is scary, it means only using Apple supplied charges and you know it won’t be cheap. With the battery lives seeming to be too short to last a full 10 hours plus, it means a big extra cost to have multiple chargers in your office and vehicles. Can’t they just be happy with the billions they will be making on phone sales and let someone else get a little profit by selling the accessories? It really is taking freedom away for a few extras that are now being developed rapidly and mostly are available for the droids. Yeah, droids need work, but at least they’re much more customer friendly. No I’m not working for droid, I am just a consumer like you looking for good solid phone that won’t cost me a months salary.

  2. Dr M Chiu

    08/27/2012 at 6:29 am

    I agree, although I like apple and their iPhones. The change in the docking connector means that all my existing charging cables, hi fi music docking equipment is going to be useless with new iPhone. Was going to buy a new valve amplifier and iPhone docking stereo but if it will not dock new iPhone what’s the point. Apple need to be more responsive to its customers and adapt to their needs not the other way round.

  3. Evyn

    09/02/2012 at 2:49 pm

    Sounds like apples trying to keep monopoly

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