It was one of the last minute disappointments for many. After months of talking about how the new iPhones could have a reverse charging systemLike some high-end Android phones, just 24 hours before Apple's new smartphones were unveiled, a rumor broke that the company might have finally scrapped this feature.
Well, according to quite reliable rumors, the new iPhone 11 in its entire range could include reverse charging hardware, but could be disabled by software. Does this mean that Apple could update it at any time?
This year the people of iFixit are going to have more work than usual. To the unknown of the RAM we now have to add the reverse load. This system would allow that, by placing a compatible device above the apple logo, it could be recharged using the iPhone's own battery. Rumors always pointed to the AirPods or the Apple Watch as the ideal accessories for this type of recharge, for its "small" battery. It is a function that some phones such as Samsung's “flagships” already have, but Apple would have disabled it at the last minute, leaving the iPhone 11 with all the necessary elements to do so but without the precise software. Until iFixit shows us the breakdown of the new iPhone we will not be sure of the certainty of this rumor.
Why disable this feature?
It was Ming-Chi Kuo who first said that this functionality would ultimately not reach the new iPhones, and it was just 24 hours before Apple announced the new models. Production of iPhone components and assembly of the iPhone takes weeks at full capacity, so if it was a decision made at the last minute, it was already impossible to go back and remove those components. What could have precipitated this measure? According to Ming-Chi Kuo, the reason was that the company's high standards were not met. It will be difficult to know why, but it could be from an excessive increase in temperature that could affect the iPhone, to a reduction in battery health.
Could Apple activate this feature?
It seems quite complicated for Apple to release an update that enables this functionality, especially when did not mention this feature at any point within two hours of the iPhone introduction. It would not be the first time that Apple announced a functionality of its phone that would have to wait for it to be enabled, but this past Tuesday nothing was said about this matter.