Apple is preparing to introduce a new, smaller dock connector for the upcoming iPhone 5, according to reports, a move that would put countless accessory products on the road to redundancy.
The current 30-pin port will be replaced by a more powerful, but smaller, 19-pin port, according to the unofficial Apple enthusiast website iMore, and reports from Reuters News Service.
According to the iMore report, Apple will provide an adaptor that will allow older iPod sound docks and chargers to still function with the upcoming iPhone 5, but the older products will be on the road to obsolescence.
"We haven't heard if one will be included in the box along with the iPhone 5, or will only be sold separately, but either way, come October, you'll be able to get a new-to-old dock adapter from Apple," iMore said.
However, some accessory products are unlikely to work with a new adaptor simply due to their shape or functionality.
The current port has been the standard on Apple products for close to 10 years, but many analysts have questioned why the company was holding onto the technology when faster, smaller options were available.
According to reports, Apple's main goal is to make more room on the bottom of the phone to accommodate an earphone jack -- currently positioned on the top of the phone.
The new configuration would also give engineers more space inside the phone to fit an LTE (Long-Term Evolution) chip and larger battery.
The newest generation of the wildly popular iPhone is expected to be released in October. Notoriously secretive, Apple has offered little or no information about the product and its technical specifications.
However, one Chinese company has reportedly already begun selling cases for the new phone that feature an earphone jack on the bottom as well as new dimensions the company guarantees are correct.
