iPhone 15 Models Have 'Completely Standard' USB-C Port Without Restrictions on Accessories

[MacRumors]

Apple's new iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max are equipped with a "completely standard" USB-C port without any restrictions on cables or accessories, according to Ars Technica's Andrew Cunningham.

For previous iPhones with the Lightning connector, Apple limits the functionality of some cables and accessories that are not certified through its "Made for iPhone" program. It was rumored that Apple might apply similar limitations to the USB-C port on iPhone 15 models, but this report confirms that is not the case.

As with iPads and Macs with USB-C ports, the report said all existing USB cables, chargers, and accessories will work normally with the iPhone 15 models.

As the report notes, it is still possible that Apple will launch a "Made for iPhone" certification program for iPhone accessories with a USB-C port, but it appears that uncertified accessories will work just fine with the devices.

All four iPhone 15 models are equipped with a USB-C port, but there are differences in data transfer speeds. The lower-end iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus are limited to USB 2.0 data transfer speeds of up to 480 Mbps, which is equal to Lightning, while the iPhone 15 Pro models support USB 3 data transfer speeds of up to 10 Gbps.

Apple began accepting pre-orders for all four iPhone 15 models earlier today. The devices launch on Friday, September 22.

Article Link: iPhone 15 Models Have 'Completely Standard' USB-C Port Without Restrictions on Accessories

 

[darngooddesign]

I mean...of course it's unrestricted just like the iPads.

 

[sw1tcher]

Apple's new iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max are equipped with a "completely standard" USB-C port without any restrictions on cables or accessories...

No restrictions on cables or accessories, just transfer speed 🤣

iPhone 15's USB-C Port Remains Limited to Lightning Speeds

While the new standard iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus are equipped with a USB-C port, data transfer over a cable remains limited to USB 2.0 speeds of...

www.macrumors.com

For previous iPhones with the Lightning connector, Apple limits the functionality of some cables and accessories that are not certified through its "Made for iPhone" program. It was rumored that Apple might apply similar limitations to the USB-C port on iPhone 15 models, but this report confirms that is not the case.

I'm thinking Apple didn't want to upset the EU which could easily create a rule where device makers cannot limit the function of USB-C cables and accessories.

 

[fatTribble]

So maybe Apple isn’t as mean as many feared? 🤔

 

[snipr125]

I wonder how MFI licencing income Apple have potentially lost out on? Probably Millions.

 

[contacos]

So maybe Apple isn’t as mean as many feared? 🤔

It’s necessary to comply to the EU

 

[killawat]

while Apple isn't enforcing mfi you will want to be sure that your USB cables are certified especially if you're looking at 10 Gbps. You want USB-IF Certified 10 Gbps USB 3.1 Gen 2 cables for maximum performance. Thunderbolt 4 cables also work but will be more expensive.

 

[DesignTime]

Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t get the big deal with the phones needing to use USB-C. I can’t remember the last time I plugged a phone in. Honestly I would have preferred a phone without any ports. Wasn‘t wireless charging the future?

 

[Onexy]

So maybe Apple isn’t as mean as many feared? 🤔

EU just did what US couldn't.

 

[unchecked]

So maybe Apple isn’t as mean as many feared? 🤔

Because USB-C wasn't theirs to restrict like they can do with Lightning. But what they can and ultimately did was to choose a lower transfer spec. We know it's USB2.0 data transfer speeds, we just have to wait for tests to show us if it's just limited to transfer or does power delivery is also gimped at USB2.0.

 

[Born Again]

Call me cynical but if Apple could restrict usb c cables to an authorized apple accessory they would.

 

[contacos]

Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t get the big deal with the phones needing to use USB-C. I can’t remember the last time I plugged a phone in. Honestly I would have preferred a phone without any ports. Wasn‘t wireless charging the future?

I travel a lot and wireless charging is a pain in the ass. Takes too long when you quickly want to charge your phone before stepping out again and obviously nearly impossible to use to charge in the backpack. Also makes my phone turn hot. Can’t be good for its health

 

[blazerunner]

EU just did what US wouldn't.

Fixed that for you.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t get the big deal with the phones needing to use USB-C. I can’t remember the last time I plugged a phone in. Honestly I would have preferred a phone without any ports. Wasn‘t wireless charging the future?

You got it in the first 4 words. Not everyone is you. I plug my iDevice in every night to charge. Wired charging is far more efficient than wireless and data transfers over wire are far more efficient than wireless transfers... especially if the cloud is involved as middleman.

People who need to move a LOT of data- such as a lot of 4K video or now spatial video shot on these new phones- will likely much prefer to do that with a FAST wired connection than a slow wireless connection. Unlimited* plans that throttle speeds at a certain data transfer capacity will be at risk every month if someone shoots much video and transfers it all over cellular (to/through iCloud). Wired doesn't need cellular (or wifi) at all.

People setting up these brand new phones who have extensive "owned" (not rented) collections of ripped music, video, etc will likely want to use a wired connection in that first restore to get it all on the new phone FAST... vs. waiting for the much slower migration wirelessly and/or via cloud.

However, you are not alone. There are many people who do both wirelessly. It very well may be the future... but in the present, it is less efficient in both primary uses.

BONUS: the jack existing opens up the opportunity for MANY accessories that can't function wirelessly at all. For example, you shoot a bunch of footage to near capacity and need to shoot more, hook in a USB-C drive/stick and free up the internal space without having to delete footage. Shoot to capacity and repeat as often as needed. Cloud only works if you have a connection and it may be too slow to free up the space for the new video you are wanting to also shoot ASAP.

 

[EmotionalSnow]

Seems everybody who fear mongered was wrong — just as I suspected

 

[Pakaku]

This is Apple, there’s always going to be a catch.

 

[dwaltwhit]

I think there is a large enough subsection of people that use the port to transfer audio/video/picture files that to eliminate the port would be detrimental. I wouldn't be surprised if they eliminated the port altogether on the future iPhones and leave them on the pro and pro max.

 

[Wildkraut]

Regarding the data speed limit, they already have been warned by the EU, more to come...

EU Warns Apple About Limiting Speeds of Uncertified USB-C Cables for iPhones

Last year, the EU passed legislation that will require the iPhone and many other devices with wired charging to be equipped with a USB-C port in...

www.macrumors.com

 

[dwaltwhit]

Seems everybody who fear mongered was wrong — just as I suspected

Dare you besmirch the honored art of mongering?!

 

[ProfessionalFan]

That was just another rumor started by trolls/fear mongers

 

[DFZD]

The innovative company that makes $799 phones with USB 2.0 transfer speeds when the world is turning a corner to UsB 4.0.
Steve Jobs would be regretting choosing Tim over Jony.

 

[OneBar]

Because USB-C wasn't theirs to restrict like they can do with Lightning. But what they can and ultimately did was to choose a lower transfer spec. We know it's USB2.0 data transfer speeds, we just have to wait for tests to show us if it's just limited to transfer or does power delivery is also gimped at USB2.0.

The connector doesn't facilitate any restriction. The controller on the logic board and the controller between the cable and connector facilitate any restrictions. Hence the standard 15 still runs at USB2.0 speeds on a USB-C connector. Conversely we could have had USB3.1 speeds at any time over the Lightning if they could have gotten a controller and chip combination that would accomplish it to their satisfaction.

 

[Arsenikdote]

while Apple isn't enforcing mfi you will want to be sure that your USB cables are certified especially if you're looking at 10 Gbps. You want USB-IF Certified 10 Gbps USB 3.1 Gen 2 cables for maximum performance. Thunderbolt 4 cables also work but will be more expensive.

LOL, but then the second that cable ends up next to all the other cables you are like "$%^#, which one is it again?"

USB needs to figure out this standard labeling thing ASAP!!

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Call me cynical but if Apple could restrict usb c cables to an authorized apple accessory they would.

They could... but the EU gave them a warning that if that tried that, the law that motivated them to finish what THEY started could be amended to penalize such $henanigan$.

Basically this is a win for consumers: use ANY USB-C cable, not just high-profit ones. A universal standard should be a universal standard... not a walled-garden modified one.

This change would miss the entire point of the mandate if it was basically still Lightning in all ways with a different-shaped connector. At the core of the mandate is embracing the global standard that Apple themselves have embraced for years in the other 2 legs of the main product mix. If it's good enough for Apple (there), it should be good enough for Apple here.

 

[icwhatudidthere]

I get the feeling that people who saw early marketing materials misinterpreted things and assumed the worst. Like they saw a disclaimer saying additional cable purchase required and interpreted that as an MFI requirement but really just meant the included cable was just a charge cable and not for data.