Apple iPhone 5s Lightning Dock Unveiled, Also Works with iPhone 5

For the first time since introducing the Lightning connector on the iPhone 5 last year, Apple has finally released a Lightning dock. Previously, the company has sold iPhone docks, but they were only for the 30-pin connector. These new Lightning docks are made for the iPhone 5s and the iPhone 5c — both have their own model since the shape of each phone is slightly different. However, the iPhone 5s dock will work with the older iPhone 5. iPhone 5s units enclosed in Apple’s official case will also work with the dock, according to one user who asked Apple Support.

Both docks are priced at $29 each, and only come in white (expectedly). They’ll also bring the usual charging, syncing, and line-out functionality that we’ve seen in the company’s previous iPhone docks. Other than that, the dock will come with something called “special audio porting” that aims to make speakerphone calls clear while the iPhone is placed in the dock.

Obviously, these new docks aren’t available right now, but they’ll release on September 20 alongside the official launch date of the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c. You’ll be able to pre-order the iPhone 5c starting on September 13, with no pre-orders available for the iPhone 5s, so make sure you’re ready to wait in line if you want one come launch day.

Other than the dock, Apple has also debuted a new 2-meter Lightning cable priced at $29. This will sell alongside the current 0.5-meter Lightning cable that’s been available for a while, and you’ll be able to pick up the longer 2-meter Lightning cable starting on September 12.

The iPhone 5s is Apple’s latest flagship device, sporting the company’s new A7 64-bit processor and new M7 chip that is exclusively for tracking motion in fitness apps. The phone also comes in a new gold color, as well as a Space Gray that replaces the black model, although there’s barely a difference between the two.

Apple also announced the iPhone 5c, which is aimed to be the replacement for the iPhone 5. The 5c sports the same internals and performance as the iPhone 5, but comes with a new plastic outer shell that comes in several different colors. They definitely look cool, but we’d suggest skipping the iPhone 5c and just get the iPhone 5s instead; you’ll thank us later.