iPhone 14 Pro's Lightning Connector Still Limited to USB 2.0 Speeds Despite Large 48MP ProRAW Photos

[MacRumors]

iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max models feature an upgraded rear camera system that can shoot 48-megapixel ProRAW photos, which retain more detail in the image file for more editing flexibility. 48-megapixel ProRAW photos are very large files that clock in at around 75MB each, according to Apple, and sometimes even larger.

Despite these very large image sizes, we have confirmed that the Lightning connector on the iPhone 14 Pro models remains limited to USB 2.0 speeds of up to 480 Mbps like previous models, meaning that transferring full-resolution 48-megapixel ProRAW photos to a Mac or other device with a Lightning cable will take a long time.

Apple recommends using iCloud Photos to access ProRAW files in full resolution on a Mac or other Apple devices, or to transfer the photos off an iPhone wirelessly by using AirDrop, but the Lightning connector certainly remains a bottleneck.

Back in 2015, the original iPad Pro's Lightning connector supported USB 3.0, which was capable of up to 5 Gbps speeds based on the spec at the time, but Apple has evidently chosen not to move in this direction for the iPhone. Fortunately, rumors suggest that all iPhone 15 models will be equipped with a USB-C port instead of Lightning, which should result in speeds up to 10 Gbps or even up to 40 Gbps with Thunderbolt 3 support.

Article Link: iPhone 14 Pro's Lightning Connector Still Limited to USB 2.0 Speeds Despite Large 48MP ProRAW Photos

 

[SteveJobs2.0]

Lightning connector is starting to become a real limiting factor on these phones. It’s time for it to go.

 

[ThisBougieLife]

It's not too surprising they're not bothering to update Lightning, knowing that it's going away soon (hopefully).

 

[tRYSIS3]

I have an iPhone 11 Pro and have no interest upgrading until they add a USB-C port

 

[magbarn]

Even with the latest Asus 6E router and a M1 Max MBP 16, airdrop transfer speeds are still around USB 2.0 speeds with my iphone 13. I doubt the 14 is any faster here

 

[JGIGS]

Apple is so stubborn. Make the change already!! You've had more than enough time to figure it out at this point.

 

[gpat]

At this point they're keeping the Lightning one more year only out of spite for the EU ruling.

 

[Vyse2020]

Also… simply changing to connector to USB-C won’t ensure faster data speeds, there are some USB-C devices and cables that still limit to 2.0 speeds.

 

[zorinlynx]

Even with the latest Asus 6E router and a M1 Max MBP 16, airdrop transfer speeds are still around USB 2.0 speeds with my iphone 13. I doubt the 14 is any faster here

AirDrop should be using peer to peer WiFi, not your router at all. Make sure the devices are close together and that you have WiFi turned on for both (even if one of them is on a wired network); it doesn't have to be joined to your access point.

 

[applicious84]

I still pull my adult St. Bernard on his puppy leash, and it's fine, but when I take pics of him, it's a total disaster trying to get his pics to move to my computer

 

[liberte1776]

Another DUMB move by Apple.

 

[Mr. Dee]

Apple is milking this for all its worth. Either they are working on something better than USB C, planning to go completely wireless or they just don’t care anymore. Oh, on second thought, purchase more iCloud storage.

The MBA’s have spoken I guess.

 

[840quadra]

The iPad mini 6 from last year is still more PRO than the iPhone Pro, with regards to IO. Really sad that I can't directly cable connect my Pro phone, to my Professional Canon Mirrorless cameras.

Works fine on iPad, and my iPad will continue to be my photography workhorse.

 

[klasma]

It’s a mystery why they didn’t upgrade to USB 3 speeds like the iPad Pro on the iPhones (at least the Pros) a long time ago.

 

[surfsofa]

I've always been relatively patient when it comes to data moving around. I turn 5G off to save battery, and still have only a 20Mbps internet connection, but even I can see this is getting a bit ridiculous. A 'Pro' device capable of ProRes video and ProRaw photos needs more bandwidth. I love the new Pro phones, but this was a big disappointment.

 

[SSDGUY]

Folks using the cable to transfer files would be reasonably satisfied with USB 3 speeds but Apple's gotta leave something out of the mix so people will upgrade to the 15.

 

[Dylan33x]

From what I understand the way they enabled 3.0 speeds on the iPad Pro was using a hack of sorts, using both sides of the Lightning connector at once. Not sure if was fully reliable or wouldn’t work as a regular long time solution, but that adds some context as to why it was never available on iPhones

 

[kevcube]

Airdrop is a seriously great protocol, and if people (like myself) want a portless iPhone they better get used to it!

Even with the latest Asus 6E router and a M1 Max MBP 16, airdrop transfer speeds are still around USB 2.0 speeds with my iphone 13. I doubt the 14 is any faster here

Airdrop uses a Wi-Fi Direct connection between your two devices, and should be much faster than usb 2.0 speeds. It is for me, on an iPhone 13 Pro.

 

[kevcube]

From what I understand the way they enabled 3.0 speeds on the iPad Pro was using a hack of sorts, using both sides of the Lightning connector at once. Not sure if was fully reliable or wouldn’t work as a regular long time solution, but that adds some context as to why it was never available on iPhones

Not really a hack if they invented the connector.

 

[zorinlynx]

From what I understand the way they enabled 3.0 speeds on the iPad Pro was using a hack of sorts, using both sides of the Lightning connector at once. Not sure if was fully reliable or wouldn’t work as a regular long time solution, but that adds some context as to why it was never available on iPhones

Yeah, one side of the Lightning connector hasn't enough pins for full USB 3.0. They absolutely had to use both sides.

 

[Berti10]

This is why it doesn’t support 8K Video

 

[kevcube]

Really sad that I can't directly cable connect my Pro phone, to my Professional Canon Mirrorless cameras.

You can, with a roundabout group of dongles.

 

[MauiPa]

Use the wifi, Luke!

 

[anticipate]

AirDrop is very fast. Wi-Fi works well too. This is annoying but it's hardly a problem compared to video. Which is far far larger. It's clear I think that Apple is going away from lightning next year…

 

[jdawgnoonan]

I am honestly surprised that they have remained so stubborn about moving on from Lightning. I find it disappointing that the iPhone did not move during the revision when the iPad moved to USB C.