Submitted by Fred Straker on
According to recent leaks, the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus will feature slightly larger battery capacities than the current iPhone lineup. While this could mean longer battery life, there's a more exciting change in the pipeline. A few weeks ago, photos of an iPhone 7 Smart Connector surfaced. The Smart Connector made its debut on the iPad Pro, ostensibly to connect Apple's Smart Keyboard.
Now it's becoming apparent the Smart Connector is capable of more. Specifically, the new Logi BASE accessory proves that Smart Connector technology can deliver a charge. Logi BASE acts as an iPad stand, with a special twist. A magnetic Smart Connector is built right into the unit, which effortlessly connects to the iPad resting inside. Logi BASE owners can plug a Lightning cable into the stand to deliver power.
As AppleInsider has already noted, the Smart Connector could provide more options for battery cases and wireless charging adapters. A product like the Mophie juice pack could connect using the magnetic Smart Connector, optimizing the design to avoid the Lightning connector altogether. The change could also make it easier to accommodate Lightning headphones while charging, as Apple is expected to abandon the 3.5mm headphone jack on the iPhone 7.
Besides delivering power and a keyboard accessory connection, the Smart Connector has been billed as a data transfer port as well. This could open the door for a variety of iPhone-based accessories, to capture data from sensors or otherwise expand the functionality of the next generation iPhone. With both the Lightning connector and Smart Connector available to developers, Apple MFi licensed accessories could further extend iPhone hardware.