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

[cyanite]

No restrictions on cables or accessories, just transfer speed 🤣

Hardly. The SoC in the base iPhone doesn’t have a USB 3 controller.

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.

There is no indication that they would, and there is also no indication, except stupid rumors, that Apple would limit it.

It’s necessary to comply to the EU

No it’s not. The EU legislation only regulates charging, not data.

EU just did what US couldn't.

Only as far as the connector and charging, not data.

But what they can and ultimately did was to choose a lower transfer spec

No they didn’t. They use the same transfer speed as the last pro model, because they use the same SoC.

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

There is simply no evidence of that. They didn’t restrict any other of their USB C ports.

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

Sure, pal.

Regarding the data speed limit, they already have been warned by the EU

The EU legislation only regulates charging.

Steve Jobs would be regretting choosing Tim over Jony.

This is some delusional ****

Do Android phones require a special cable to take advantage of a higher data rate? 🤔

Yes of course. It’s unrelated to the device and instead related to the USB standards supported.

 

[Arsenikdote]

I'm sure apple will have an adapter. It's relatively seamless to setup.

I used one for about seven months. The only issue I ever had was that it needed Bluetooth sync twice.

I think we just disagree on this, which is cool. I don't doubt it COULD be done or for some people, they are fine with the solution. I personally don't think it is a very Apple solution. I feels hokey and not at all the premium experience I would expect from someone like Apple and for something that sits alongside a $1K smartphone. I think there is a very good reason they don't already have an adapter for people. But likely we will just disagree on this

 

[contacos]

Hardly. The SoC in the base iPhone doesn’t have a USB 3 controller.


There is no indication that they would, and there is also no indication, except stupid rumors, that Apple would limit it.


No it’s not. The EU legislation only regulates charging, not data.


Only as far as the connector and charging, not data.


No they didn’t. They use the same transfer speed as the last pro model, because they use the same SoC.


There is simply no evidence of that. They didn’t restrict any other of their USB C ports.


Sure, pal.


The EU legislation only regulates charging.


This is some delusional ****


Yes of course. It’s unrelated to the device and instead related to the USB standards supported.

I thought we were all talking about charging here since the transfer speeds have already been known since Tuesday

 

[Zeke92]

EU just did what US couldn't.

We don’t interfere in successful businesses with pointless mandates.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

Do Android phones require a special cable to take advantage of a higher data rate? 🤔

No, but the majority of even high-end android phones still ship with a USB2.0 only cable, and several popular brands like 1+ still had 2.0 ports on their phones as late as last year.

 

[progx]

Steve Jobs would be regretting choosing Tim over Jony.

Jony would've sold you the phone shell itself. There wouldn't be any smartphone in it.

 

[iFishishh]

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.

steve jobs didn't choose tim personally. it was a democratic decision after his passing

 

[progx]

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.

I'm wondering if they couldn't change out the controller on the boards in time before the iPhone 15 and Plus models went into manufacturing planning. While I'm not surprised these are stuck at USB 2 speeds, I thought for sure they'd add USB4 to the iPhone Pro models, but standard USB3.1 instead.

 

[progx]

steve jobs didn't choose tim personally. it was a democratic decision after his passing

No. Steve chose him to be COO of Apple while he was alive. He hired himself. Tim was ready to depart, then Steve got sick and the board asked him to place Tim in-charge while he focused on his cancer battle.

Steve Jobs said "Tim Cook can do everything," then he added, "Tim's not a product person." Clearly, Steve liked him and was okay with him running the company. This was pulled from his biography.

 

[Mother Nature]

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?

To boot the phone in recovery mode and attempt a "recovery" process, access to a port is required.
That's why some devices that normally don't use a USB connector (like sound bars) still have a "service" port (which is USB).

Removing the port will not be possible without a robust wireless recovery system.

 

[rforno]

I'm just relieved that the Apple Polishing Cloth is 100% compatible with the 15 Pro, too!

(sorry, couldn't resist...)

 

[Ctrlos]

Given the amount of dodgy ones out there on Amazon Apple could probably make just as much money selling braided ones to Android users!

 

[iFishishh]

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?

believe or not there are other people with iPhones besides yourself that actually use them for more than your average mindless consumer functions. cables are the safest and fastest way to transfer data. If for whatever reason your wireless capabilities malfunction, at least the cable could be an alternative. For those with large files of data, or who wish to charge their devices without having to leave it attached to a stationary device, a cable is necessary.

 

[1037]

Can it work with a USB microscope? Previously it would not.

 

[coolfactor]

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?

Wireless charging is still a foreign concept to many, particularly the politicians pushing the agenda of a "universal" connector. Decision by a committee of non-technical folks.

USB-C is a great connector design, better than Lightning. I didn't want that to be the case, but it's sadly true. But within the USB landscape, there are still many variations that will affect interoperability. The main push for USB-C was about the connector type, not the cable specs.

 

[zelativity]

I'm wondering if they couldn't change out the controller on the boards in time before the iPhone 15 and Plus models went into manufacturing planning. While I'm not surprised these are stuck at USB 2 speeds, I thought for sure they'd add USB4 to the iPhone Pro models, but standard USB3.1 instead.

I don't think that's how it works. Even if you put a TB4 port for example on the iPhone but the SoC doesn't support it, it wouldn't matter either way since it won't work at TB4 speeds because the chip is only made to support only USB2.0. And they're definitely not spending money redesigning the A16 Bionic just to add support to USB3.

But yeah, I was actually expecting them to use Thunderbolt on the new Pro models, but maybe that's too difficult due to chip size restriction?

 

[bn-7bc]

Lol @ thinking USB-C is any kind of “universal standard”. It’s possibly the biggest mess of a connector in history.

No the connectors are well standardised, data rates, charging capabilities etc noy coverd bu said standard however are not. But this detail seam to be lost on moste medua, even most of tech media leading to the expectationthat when a device has a USB-C port it will also automatically have some other properties which there is of course no guarantee for. Further more the eu regs only talk about charging, not data rates ( as far as I know and please do correct me If I am)

 

[darngooddesign]

No restrictions on cables or accessories, just transfer speed 🤣

The A16's USB controller is only 2.0, same as when it was in the 14 Pros last year, if you want USB3.0 in the regular iPhones wait until next year when they get the A17 which has a 3.0 USB Controller.

 

[darngooddesign]

Did the EU force Apple to not restrict USB C ports on iPads and Macs? While EU regulations might have encouraged/forced Apple to switch to USB C sooner and kept Apple from putting limits on iPhone USB C ports, it's also just as likely Apple was never going to put any limits on the ports.

Apple had/has the MFi certification but that doesn't prevent people from using non-certified accessories.

The EU wanted to force Apple to use MicroUSB previously; would you have been happy with a MicroUSB iPhone just because it was the standard port?

 

[darngooddesign]

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

Just like they did with the iPads in 2018... oh wait.

 

[Ntombi]

Sounds like your phone is plugged in a lot. Interesting why as it's should be a mobile device.

Uh, it’s plugged in to charge when necessary/convenient, because I use the phone a lot. That’s not strange to most people.

I have charging cables in most rooms of the house, and a MagSafe charger in the kitchen and the car (my 15-year-old Corolla with an aftermarket wireless CarPlay stereo).

 

[GraXXoR]

"completely standard"

In all fairness, crippling a USB-2 speed USB-C port any further would be like the County Rowing Team snatching the plastic paddle from your 6 year old brother's inflatable dinghy.

 

[DFZD]

steve jobs didn't choose tim personally. it was a democratic decision after his passing

I doubt a visionary like Steve would not leave at least a 3 generational succession plan.

 

[bassanoclapper]

Absolutely agree with the travelling scenario. Wireless hotel chargers, when they exist, are often cheap pieces of crap that won’t reliably charge your phone overnight. Gimme full power USB-C or Lightning, any day

 

[darngooddesign]

"completely standard"

In all fairness, crippling a USB-2 speed USB-C port any further would be like the County Rowing Team snatching the plastic paddle from your 6 year old brother's inflatable dinghy.

The A16 has never had a USB3.0 controller so Apple didn't cripple anything. if you want the base phone to have USB3.0, wait a year.