iPhone 15 USB-C Cables Without MFi Badge May Have Data Transfer and Charging Speed Limits

[MacRumors]

Apple's iPhone 15 series will officially only support USB-C accessories that have been certified by Apple's own Made for iPhone (MFi) program, potentially limiting the functionality of accessories not approved by Apple, an established leaker has now claimed.

Since being introduced in 2012, first-party and MFi-certified Lightning ports and connectors have contained a small integrated circuit that confirms the authenticity of the parts involved in the connection. Non-MFi-certified third-party charging cables, for example, do not feature this chip, often leading to "This accessory is not supported" warnings on connected Apple devices.

Apple is widely expected to switch out the Lightning port for USB-C on iPhone 15 models, and earlier this month, a rumor out of China suggested that the replacement USB-C port would continue to have a Lightning-like authentication chip, despite USB-C ports on Apple's iPads having no such chip.

In a tweet posted on Tuesday, ShrimpApplePro appeared to corroborate the rumor by claiming that "USB-C with MFi is happening," and that Foxconn is already mass producing accessories like EarPods and cables that conform to the Apple certification.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1630423052487098368

The authenticator chip is there to encourage customers to buy genuine iPhone peripherals, while Apple receives a commission on MFi-certified accessories and the MFi program makes it easier to expose counterfeit and potentially dangerous accessories.

Despite these advantages, the concern from a user perspective is that Apple could use the MFi program to limit features like fast charging and high-speed data transfer to Apple and MFi-certified cables. And that is precisely what AppleShrimpPro believes we should expect. "Cables with no MFi will be software limited in data and charging speed," said the leaker in a follow-up tweet.

According to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the USB-C port on the ‌iPhone 15‌ and ‌iPhone 15‌ Plus will remain limited to Lightning/USB 2.0 speeds, while faster transfer speeds will be exclusive to the ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌ and ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌ Max models. ShrimpApplePro's tweets add a new complexion to Kuo's prediction.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1630424483604598784

ShrimpApplePro accurately leaked the hardware design of the Dynamic Island on iPhone 14 Pro models, giving them an established track record for rumors. Earlier this month, the leaker said the iPhone 15 Pro will feature even thinner bezels around the display. ShrimpApplePro also previously claimed that at least one iPhone 15 model will feature a titanium frame and curved rear edges, which could mirror the curved bezels.

Article Link: iPhone 15 USB-C Cables Without MFi Badge May Have Data Transfer and Charging Speed Limits

 

[jonnysods]

We had to know there was a hook to this. No way the EU was going to force Apple to give up all the accessory money they make from Lightning cables and move to USB-C without any of us paying the toll.

 

[PineappleCake]

There's a limit Apple and frankly they crossed it many times.


But this is over the top. Silly or stupid is what I use to describe it.

 

[PineappleCake]

We had to know there was a hook to this. No way the EU was going to force Apple to give up all the accessory money they make from Lightning cables and move to USB-C without any of us paying the toll.

Yeah, now I am moving to Android. I am sick of getting penny-pitched by Apple.

Wanna get a height Adjustable monitor, pay more...

Wanna get a more ports on a MacBook, pay more...

Wanna get an iPad with 120hz pay more...

Too much for me.

 

[krspkbl]

Don't care. As long as it's USB C and I can charge my phone quickly I'm happy.

I don't transfer data between my phone over cable like some caveman. I upload to iCloud and if I need it on my PC i'll download it from iCloud.

I'm just tired of having to carry two different cables. A lightning for my iPhone and a USB-C for everything else. I know it's not a huge problem but it's annoying.

 

[Gatto37]

EU regulators liked this article...

 

[MJaP]

This is an incredibly shady, anti-competative, and anti-consumer practice from Apple, I'm surprised they haven't been censured on this before now. We'd be up in arms if Samsung put restrictions on their TVs so you could only use overpriced Samsung manufacturered HDMI cables on Samsung TVs and all other HDMI cables wouldn't work or only allow a 480p SD picture unless cable manufacturers paid royalties to Samsung to make them. All this "it is to ensure a high quality standard and to make sure damage isn't done to your devices" is all marketing BS to cover corporate greed. This practice needs to stop.

 

[PineappleCake]

I don't transfer data between my phone over cable like some caveman. I upload to iCloud and if I need it on my PC i'll download it from iCloud.

Wired will always be faster than wireless.

Wtf are u saying. Wired transfer is up to 40gbps on Apple's devices. AirDrop is piss slow for large files in comparison. There is a reason why Apple includes Thunderbolt on iPad Pros and Macs.

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

So if, for instance, one plugged-in an existing USB-C storage device from a reputable brand like Belkin, the transfer speed would be limited because it doesn’t have an MFI chip in it?

 

[blazerunner]

This is scumbag level tactic by Apple.

 

[LilNasX]

Apple tings

 

[mortenb]

Stupid if true, but don't really care - just want USB-C. Skipped the iPhone 14 Pro because of Lightning.

Never use cables for data transfer and mostly charge wireless. But for business travel, outdoor trips, vacations etc. with no wireless charger it's so freaking annoying to need a Lightning cable just for the phone.

 

[The Phazer]

Hopefully they are completely battered on this by the EU.

I don't like calling for people to lose their jobs, but the people who decided this was a good idea should not be employed by Apple.

 

[Volkhard Juergens]

There's a limit Apple and frankly they crossed it many times.


But this is over the top. Silly or stupid is what I use to describe it.

Call it californian idiocracy

 

[icymountain]

Wonderful idea ! USB-B shaped connector that is not USB-C, since it does not have regular USB-C compatibility.

I would almost laugh if the EU rules this does not count as USB-C support since you cannot use your existing USB-C charger and expect it to work unless it is "Apple certified".

 

[sorgo †]

The backlash is about to be sweet. 🍿

 

[kiranmk2]

So does this mean that using a current Apple-supplied USB-C cable from from a current Mac / iPad won't give fast charging / data transfer on an iPhone 15 because it doesn't have an MFI chip in it?

If so, this is getting up to USB-IF levels of stupidity and consumer confusion...

Also, if Apple implements this does ot mean that they won't be able to use the USB branding because it will be non-standard?

 

[Chancha]

Don't care. As long as it's USB C and I can charge my phone quickly I'm happy.

It is not unlikely that they will also require MFI cables to get full charge speed, while "generic" type-C cables will get barebone charge speed down to like 10W.

 

[GuilleA]

So if, for instance, one plugged-in an existing USB-C storage device from a reputable brand like Belkin, the transfer speed would be limited because it doesn’t have an MFI chip in it?

 

[d5aqoëp]

If Apple really does this scummy tactic, I really hope they get sued into oblivion for anti-competitive tactics.

 

[kiranmk2]

It is not unlikely that they will also require MFI cables to get full charge speed, while "generic" type-C cables will get barebone charge speed down to like 10W.

Exactly, expect 15 W max for regular USB-C cables (no PD negotiation, so will be limited to 5V/3A). That's what I currently use so hopefully I won't notice a difference (it's plenty quick enough for me).

 

[Lwii2boo]

So if, for instance, one plugged-in an existing USB-C storage device from a reputable brand like Belkin, the transfer speed would be limited because it doesn’t have an MFI chip in it?

No, because these type of companies will always pay the certification to Apple. Like they currently does with Lighting.
The issue it is extremely abusive and makes Apple a lot of money while reducing the margin of good manufacturers because they have to pay certification to Apple. And for the consumer it makes the price less attractive.

I'm not surprised by this move by Apple given how greedy they are with Lighting certification. Doing the same with a non proprietary port is even more shaddy and if it happens, I honestly think they should be fined and stop this kind of corporate BS greed and anti competitive behaviour, they are milking hard both consumers and their partner manufacturers.

 

[seek3r]

I still doubt this, if my next iphone has usbc but the pile of cables and accessories I have for my ipad and macbooks dont work with it at full capability I’m going to be pretty irritated - and I’m not the only one.

 

[Neil Harrison]

Don't see it as an issue as long as MagSafe isn't impacted

 

[seek3r]

No, because these type of companies will always pay the certification to Apple.
The issue it is extremely abusive and makes Apple a lot of money while reducing the margin of good manufacturer because they have to pay certification to Apple. And for the consumer it make the price less attractive.

I'm not the suprised by this move by Apple given how greedy they are with Lighting certification. Doing the same with a non proprietary port is even more shaddy and if it happens, I honestly think they should be fined and stop this kind of coportate greed and anti competitive behaviour, their are milking hard both consumers and their partner manufacturers

Older gear wouldnt have the chip though, so a *currently existing* device wouldnt work at full speed if this is true.