iPhone 5 includes smaller ‘Lightning’ dock connector design

Apple has introduced a new dock connector design for its latest iPhone 5 smartphone, reducing the typical 30-pin connector’s size significantly.

by Tom Warren

Sep 12, 2012, 5:38 PM UTC

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Tom Warren is a senior correspondent and author of Notepad, who has been covering all things Microsoft, PC, and tech for over 20 years.

One of the more persistent rumors around the iPhone 5 was related to a smaller dock connector design. Apple has now revealed that its new iPhone 5 will include a smaller version of the typical 30-pin dock connector — breaking compatibility with existing first- and third-party accessories. The new connector, dubbed Lightning, is 80 percent smaller than the old design with an 8-pin connector that is reversible for easier use. Apple has a solution to combat the accessory woes though, the company is introducing a special adapter to convert existing dock connectors to the smaller design.

A Lightning to 30-pin adapter with 0.2 meters of cable will set you back $39, while a simple Lightning to 30-pin adapter will be $29 — both will be available in October. Apple is also introducing a Lightning to USB cable for $19 that ships within three business days.

Update: Note that Apple says the adapters don’t support video-out or iPod-out.

Update 2: Apple is also shipping a Lightning to Micro USB adapter in Europe to honor the EU standards for a common mobile phone charger.