In addition to launching a new 15-inch MacBook Pro with Force Touch and a cheaper 27-inch Retina iMac, Apple has also introduced its first official iPhone Lightning Dock with compatibility for both the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. Of course, being this late to the charging dock game means a number of fine solutions already exist at competitive prices.
To accommodate both the 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch iPhone models with a single dock, Apple has departed from its usual design of placing the charging connector in a groove fit for the bottom of the iPhone. Instead, the new iPhone Lightning Dock features a base wide enough for either sized iPhone and a Lightning connector atop a raised bump for charging. The new design should have the added benefit of working without removing most iPhone cases as well.
While Apple’s timing of releasing an official iPhone Lightning Dock fit for the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus comes 9 months after the new iPhones were first released, the late release certainly isn’t new for Apple. Many believed Apple was out of the charging dock business when the iPhone 5 was sold with a new design and new charging connector without an official dock solution from Apple until it released its own with the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c a year into the iPhone 5’s design.
The new Lightning Charging Dock for iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus is available for $39 with shipping availability currently at 1-3 days from the online store. Lightning Charging Dock is also in stock in a number of Apple Stores since the new product first appeared on the online store this morning.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
“While Apple’s timing of releasing an official iPhone Lightning Dock fit for the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus comes 9 months after the new iPhones were first released”
Nine months? Isn’t iit actually eight months?
yes, eight (8) months…why do writers like to exaggerate?
Well, 9 months is accurate… From a certain point of view.
September
October
November
December
January
February
March
April
May
9. Granted, by date it is 8 months, but it is really 7 full months and 2 partial months.
Man! See what trying to figure out my kids Common Core math has done to my brain?
Frick me, FINALLY! Why oh why do they wait with the release of their docks? I had to wait months for the 5 as well. Well, happy camper here!
Very surprising Apple don’t think this will break the charging port – taking all the weight of the device on it – and users pressing back on the phone when its docked?
Bizarre – I’m sure this will be removed pretty quickly
The Lightning connector was actually designed with this in mind; you can actually hold a phone up by nothing more than a lightning cable; it’s that strong / durable.
I’ve had a similar dock for a couple years and it doesn’t break. There’s a reason why Apple accessories cost more – they’re better made.
The real problem is that it’s a pain to align the iPhone correctly when docking.
Is it just me, being a rather clumsy person, who sees this “dock” not lasting very long… The first time I reach for the phone in the dark while half asleep, and instead just knocking the phone… causing the lightning connector to break…
Also, likely a soft confirmation that the 6s/6s Pluss will be the same form factors.
Going to have to visit the local store to see if I can test it out with my case…
When has an iPhone “S” model nod has the same form factor as its predecessor?
Not necessarily. They could redesign the phone again and as long as the dock connector is on the base, which is a good bet, then this dock would still work.
That said, odds are the design won’t change a lot based on past release history.
Curious how durable the dock is… Love the idea of an official Apple dock that works with all Lightning iPhone models. I’m sure future models will fit on this one too
Seriously? Why not a combined iPhone / WATCH dock?
I know right :/ that would be sick…
We’ve known for a long time that the lightning port is strengthened, but basic physics tells us that a mount point that small and low, which doesn’t brace the device, will have an undesirable amount of wobble.
Apple docks have never been great, but they’ve usually been at least okay. This doesn’t really compliment the phone at all. It’s a bit like putting a tuxedo on, and then going to the gala on your sister’s squeaky bicycle.
[quote]It’s a bit like putting a tuxedo on, and then going to the gala on your sister’s squeaky bicycle.[/quote]
I have actually done that. Made a couple of girls wanting to date me the moment they saw me arrive. So I squeaked some more.
$39 for white plastic…again??? Apple, stop making white plastic products already!
Apple: make it metal: space gray, silver, gold, then maybe I’d consider it.
At the very least offer black or dark gray plastic for those of us that can’t stand white plastic anything.
ridiculous
Then you would be looking at $99 minimum and you would still be complaining…
Looks like they listened to you…
I bought it. Gonna try it out and see how it holds up my 6 Plus over a week and I’ll see about posting an update
Are there any docks (beside possibly the HiRise) that allow access to the audio jack?
there is an audio jack on the back of the dock for connecting to headphones or speakers. apparently it even works with headphones that have a remote and mic
They removed the IR Remote function, so you need to control this through Apple Watch, in case of using the Music app…
Hmm….I think the next Apple TV won’t use IR either. :DD Other than apple watch, i wonder what other means?
Did the 5S dock have IR?
What sucks is that it’s $20 more here in Australia! Stupid exchange rate!