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

[Digitalguy]

Like you said yourself, it was all based on an unsubstantiated rumour. It doesn’t seem fair to conclude that Apple was indeed planning something based on this.

"Unsubstantiated"? No less than any other rumour. But it was credible enough that the EU Commission decided to warn Apple. People thinking Apple is too "good" to do these things will tend to believe it's all false. To me it sounds very Apple-like, that's what I expect from a company like Apple, to try to milk the profits on accessories as much as the are allowed to... especially with a cash cow like iPhone

 

[tobybrut]

I'm interested to know if next year if the iPhone 16 non Pro gets the full USB C 10Gbps speed when it gets the A17 processor or if the 'Pro' variant of the A17 is what allows for the full 10Gbps speed. If not related to that A17/ A17Pro is it limited by something else?

This is unknown at this time since Apple is rumored to be considering switching from TSMC’s N3E process from the current N3B process used for the A17 Pro. The change in process means Apple will have to somewhat redesign the A17 used in next year’s iPhone 16’s. If the rumors had not existed, I would have expected those iPhone 16’s to have the A17 Pro, and therefore 10Gbps speeds. However, Apple may take that opportunity to create an A17 Bionic instead that only has a USB 2.0 controller. We’ll have to wait and see what happens.

In answer to your question on whether the speed is based on the SoC. The answer is yes. In Tuesday’s presentation, Apple showed where on the A17 Pro the USB 3.0 controller resides (top right-most part of the SoC). Since the iPhone 15’s use the A16 SoC, that means it’s limited by the SoC to USB 2.0 speeds, knowing the iPhone 14 Pros couldn’t do faster speeds. Note the ports themselves also have support chips for data synchronization but the performance is limited by the controller in the SoC.

 

[Abazigal]

"Unsubstantiated"? No less than any other rumour. But it was credible enough that the EU Commission decided to warn Apple. People thinking Apple is too "good" to do these things will tend to believe it's all false. To me it sounds very Apple-like, that's what I expect from a company like Apple, to try to milk the profits on accessories as much as the are allowed to... especially with a cash cow like iPhone

Be as it may, we can only judge Apple based on what they did, not by what they might have done.

So thus far, the only criticism of the iPhone 15’s usb c port is that it doesn’t support faster transfer speeds, but otherwise, it will work with any of your existing usb c accessories.

We also saw this with the iPad 10. Usb 2.0 speeds, but otherwise, no other restrictions on what can or cannot be used with it.

The rumour never made sense to me, based on Apple’s past track record.

 

[sracer]

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.

Actually USB-C CAN be restricted as Apple does with Lightning. Apple is part of the USB consortium and that group established as part of the USB-C standard the ability to have something analogous to MFI.

I suspect that Apple wasn't expecting the EU to follow through on their heavy handedness and were caught a bit flat-footed. Apple can institute a USB-C-based MFI program in the future... and probably will.

 

[Digitalguy]

Be as it may, we can only judge Apple based on what they did, not by what they might have done.

So thus far, the only criticism of the iPhone 15’s usb c port is that it doesn’t support faster transfer speeds, but otherwise, it will work with any of your existing usb c accessories.

We also saw this with the iPad 10. Usb 2.0 speeds, but otherwise, no other restrictions on what can or cannot be used with it.

The rumour never made sense to me, based on Apple’s past track record.

they made total sense to me based on all the money they grabbed with lighting cables/accessories and MFI

 

[MNGR]

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.

So it seems to me that many of you want no differentiation between the models. Buy a Rolls for the price if and Edsel; a 20tb drive for the price of a 5 1/4” floppy.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

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!!

The USBIF has no required standard labeling. They’re MORE than happy for folks to buy cables that don’t do what they think it’s supposed to

 

[RobArtLyn]

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.

There really is no reason to suspect that the charging performance of the 15 would be worse than the 14 other than some need to find anything to gripe about, but if you need evidence:

 

[Sikh]

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.

Im glad someone said it but with the mess that is USB-C, I am expecting to see increased amount of "my USB-C cable doesnt do what it should" now that so many people are about to have USB-C devices, especially iphones for the first time.

We gotta keep in mind that the iPhone sells numbers and lots of people that own iPhones dont really have USB-C devices or enough USB-C devices to have to deal with the crazy amount of inconsistent usb-c cables you can get and probably have. I know a few people that have complained "this usb-c cable charges my samsung fold but wont charge my macbook, its definitely apple!" or "this usb-c cable charges my pixel fold and my framework but it charges my framework really slow". In both cases, it was the type of cable because they just bought nice braided cables from amazon without realizing USB-C PD is a thing, USB-C 480mbps, USB-C USB3 (10gbps), USB-C USB3 gen 2, etc.

Hell I just bought a Anker 240W cable thats charging only and a spigen USB-C USB4 cable for 40gbps data transfer. I purposely bought 2 cables because 1 usb-c USB4 / TB4 cable can only do 100watts and max size I could get was 2.6ft versus the Anker which is 10ft and does 240Ws and covers my Steam Deck, Framework, M1MBP and now my phone.

I really hope the USB-IF goes through with their new required branding on USB-C cables and we can start seeing accurate titles and packaging.

 

[darngooddesign]

The USBIF has no required standard labeling. They’re MORE than happy for folks to buy cables that don’t do what they think it’s supposed to

At least Apple puts a thunderbolt icon on their cables, and they are a lot thicker, so you can tell the difference.

 

[sack_peak]

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

I cannot recall any Android phone being marketed to have USB 5Gbps, 10Gbps or faster.

 

[bgillander]

The USB port behaves just like a USB port? Seems logical. Why would anyone expect any different? It’s not like any website would publish a crazy rumour saying it wouldn’t and otherwise sane people would believe it. Wait… where am I? Oh! Never mind! 😀

 

[sack_peak]

I actually hand out genuine Apple chargers or Anker chargers to family members using sketchy knock offs. I have a ton of spares even a couple of USB C ones lying around so its no issue.

For my uses I prefer Apple not bundling chargers anymore.

I always opt for multiport chargers. It allows me to charge all my devices using one electrical outlet. Very useful when traveling.

UGREEN 300W with a 140W MBP 16", iPad, iPhone, Watch, AirPods, etc.

UGREEN 200W with a 100W MBA 15" or MBP 14", iPad, iPhone, Watch, AirPods, etc.

UGREEN 100W with a 45W MBA 13" or MBP 13", iPad, iPhone, Watch, AirPods, etc.

 

[sack_peak]

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?

They likely did that to cut cost somewhere. Very few phone users use USB to transfer tens of GB of data.

2022 Android phones had these USB data speeds:

- OnePlus 10T – 03 August
USB 2.0

- vivo iQOO 9T – 02 August
USB 2.0

- Asus Zenfone 9 – 28 July
USB 2.0

- vivo iQOO 10 – 25 July
USB 2.0

- Google Pixel 6a – 21 July
USB 3.1

- Nothing Phone 1 – 16 July
USB 2.0

- ROG Phone 6 Pro – 13 July
USB 3.1 & 2.0 (2 ports)

- HTC Desire 22 Pro – 10 July
USB 2.0

- Xiaomi 12S Pro – 07 July
USB 2.0

- Motorola Moto G82 – 07 June
USB 2.0

- Sony Xperia 1 IV – 11 May
USB 3.2

- Xiaomi Poco F4 GT – 28 April
USB 2.0

- Honor Magic4 Pro – 09 April
USB 3.1

- OnePlus 10 Pro – 13 January
USB 3.1

- Realme GT 2 Pro – 08 January
USB 2.0

 

[sack_peak]

The average age of vehicles on the road today is 12.5 years which means there are a lot of cars that only support wired CarPlay.

That's 2010 year models and older could get after market CarPlay double DIN and single DIN radios.

Some are as large as an iPad mini's 8.3" screen. Get the ones with a faster SoC so it responds quickly.

 

[Abazigal]

The USBIF has no required standard labeling. They’re MORE than happy for folks to buy cables that don’t do what they think it’s supposed to

I would imagine the people who genuinely need faster cables are also the ones tech savvy enough to be able to tell them apart.

 

[RobArtLyn]

They likely did that to cut cost somewhere. Very few phone users use USB to transfer tens of GB of data.

2022 Android phones had these USB data speeds:

- OnePlus 10T – 03 August
USB 2.0

- vivo iQOO 9T – 02 August
USB 2.0

- Asus Zenfone 9 – 28 July
USB 2.0

- vivo iQOO 10 – 25 July
USB 2.0

- Google Pixel 6a – 21 July
USB 3.1

- Nothing Phone 1 – 16 July
USB 2.0

- ROG Phone 6 Pro – 13 July
USB 3.1 & 2.0 (2 ports)

- HTC Desire 22 Pro – 10 July
USB 2.0

- Xiaomi 12S Pro – 07 July
USB 2.0

- Motorola Moto G82 – 07 June
USB 2.0

- Sony Xperia 1 IV – 11 May
USB 3.2

- Xiaomi Poco F4 GT – 28 April
USB 2.0

- Honor Magic4 Pro – 09 April
USB 3.1

- OnePlus 10 Pro – 13 January
USB 3.1

- Realme GT 2 Pro – 08 January
USB 2.0

Look, people here are looking for an excuse to be outraged and indignant. Your inconvenient facts are not welcome.

 

[sack_peak]

I predict that next year the 16s get USB 3.0 and the 16 Pros get Thunderbolt.

I'd like this USB speed timeline for iPhone chips

- 2023: 10Gbps USB 3.1
- 2024: 20Gbps USB 3.2
- 2025: 40Gbps USB4
- 2026: 80Gbps USB4 V2.0
- 2027: 120Gbps Thunderbolt 5

 

[sack_peak]

I would imagine the people who genuinely need faster cables are also the ones tech savvy enough to be able to tell them apart.

They are also more likely to get a Pro & Pro Max.

 

[Born Again]

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

I’m not saying they did I’m saying if they could have they would.

Btw I love my 2018 iPad Pro. It won’t die. No reason to upgrade.

 

[sack_peak]

Btw I love my 2018 iPad Pro. It won’t die. No reason to upgrade.

I'd only replace mine on its 8th year when I expect the final iPadOS Security Update would be released.

It would likely be faster than the 1st M1 Ultra in terms of single core speeds at a fraction of power consumption.

 

[svish]

Good to hear this. But speeds are capped on the non Pro models!

 

[Gudi]

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.

Let's not forget that EU Industry Commissioner Thierry Breton issued a publicly televised warning to Apple based on this internet rumor. I thought it was an overreaction assuming fault before the fact and he could've just asked Apple privately for clarification, but nonetheless the EU made unmistakably clear what it means by USB-C charging port mandate. No MFI cables "Made for iPhone" allowed in the EU. 📲 🚫 🇪🇺

 

[BipedalOS]

It’s necessary to comply to the EU

Absolutely not, unless you want to sell in the EU.

 

[BipedalOS]

A decade ago I bought $1.00 knock off Lighting cables that worked on my 2012 iPhone's 5W charger.

When I heard that fast charging was possible using the 10-12W iPad charger I switched to that.

To my surprise I started to smell burning palstic as thecable's insulation started to smoke through and melt.

Since then I used MFI-compliant Anker USB-A to Lightning cables.

Back when the 2015 Google Nexus 6P & 5X phones came out there was a mad dash for USB-C cables & chargers. The big topic back then was USB-C compliant cables. It was so bad that Google engineer Benson Leung made a database on what brands are compliant or not.

I know everyone's saying Apple's profiteering from Lightning port but to be honest I rather pay $10 than lose my house or my life.

It’s sad Apple has to do this because companies literally will produce fire hazards to make a penny.