Leaked images show Apple’s new dock connector

One of the biggest topics of discussion surrounding the next iPhone is the dock connector. The major reason why it is getting a significant amount of attention is that this will be the first time Apple will use a new type of connector on an iOS device since it unveiled the 30-pin connector when it launched the iPod. Though there has been a lot of talk about the connector, there have been no images to support the claim that it will indeed be an 8-pin connector. This appears to have changed as French website Noweherelse.fr has recently posted images of what appears to be the new connector of the cable that will charge the upcoming iOS devices.

The first glimpse

As per a report by MacRumors, the Apple dedicated website states, “The site notes that it cannot confirm the validity of the images, but they do appear to show some features that could be consistent with what has been claimed about the new smaller dock connector. The connector shown in the images is considerably smaller that the existing dock connector, and the metal insertion piece appears to have 8 gold pins for making contact inside the corresponding port on the device. The insertion piece also appears as if it could be inserted into the iPhone in either orientation, as has been rumored.”

There has been a lot of speculation regarding the number of pins that will feature on the new dock connector and though the images show the connector to feature 8-pins, the website has been informed that it is indeed a 9-pin configuration as the metal frame counts as a grounding pin.

The new connector will feature other design innovations and will potentially include the ability to connect with docks or cables in either orientation, much like the case with the MagSafe power connector found on Apple’s Mac range of laptops.

The next iPhone is expected to feature a major design overhaul and is said to be much bigger, measuring 58.47 mm wide, 123.83 mm high and 7.6 mm thin with a 4-inch display. As previous reports have indicated, the headphone jack will also be relocated from the top of the iPhone to the bottom. The size of the dock has been reduced drastically and is much smaller and similar to the size of a micro USB. This last bit fits in line with the fact that the redesigned dock connector will not feature the traditional 30-pin configuration and instead opt for a smaller one.

It is believed that Apple will release an adaptor to help pair docks featuring the older connectors to these new dock connectors. This will help in preserving the life of the third party products like iPod docks and thereby making it compatible with the new generation of iOS devices. If reports are to be believed, then we could see all forthcoming iOS devices feature this new 9-pin dock connector.

Let us know your thoughts about this new design change in the comments below.