iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Limited to USB 2

[theLedger]

The only reason why you really need higher transfer speeds is if you're copying captured video for editing like an influencer. An influencer would not be using the Air.

But I think the sky blue Air will be my next phone to match my sky blue MacBook Air.

 

[carestudio]

nice to have but not the show stopper. Pricing is more important to the lower end ones.

 

[rajador]

and no wide angle camera, that sucks 🙁

 

[theloon]

What utter crap...

 

[IJustWannaTalk]

Could someone explain to me why this is an issue?

This is clearly a phone not aimed at Pro users.

 

[IJustWannaTalk]

I do. Photos. I manage all photos on my Mac.

How often do you have to sit around waiting for your photos to transfer?

 

[moulderine]

it honestly doesnt even matter because the real JOKE is that in most situations pro iphone owners cant even get the USB 3 speed anyways.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/iphone-15-pro-usb-c-definitely-not-operating-at-usb-3-2-gen-1-speeds-10gbps-data-transfer-is-still-just-as-slow-as-usb-2-0-lightning-cable.2404020/page-9

 

[IJustWannaTalk]

Can’t say I’m surprised, but the limitation does seem kind of artificial.

I’ve used thunderbolt to transfer 4K 60 FPS video to my Mac and Final Cut Pro NAS plenty of times.

I can’t imagine transferring 4K 120 FPS video without it 😱

You think a lot of iPhone and iPhone air users are going to be transferring 4k video for editing?

 

[thiscatisfat]

Could someone explain to me why this is an issue?

This is clearly a phone not aimed at Pro users.

Not everyone uses iCloud Backup, or iCloud Photo library, not everyone uses streaming services for music…USB 2 speeds for such tasks feels like 2005, not 2025.

I’m not that special someone, but people do have different needs. I have a large offline music library and sync music via cable. I won’t complain too much about transfer speeds as I still use an iPod Classic for music, and syncing 100+GB music is something I don’t need to do often, but you know…improvement would be nice at this stage and pricepoint.

 

[Apple_Robert]

True, but most people prefer owning a device that’s far more powerful than they’ll ever actually need.

If one never uses the feature, it becomes a moot point. Most people here are too caught up in chasing tech specs, and consumed about having a huge battery even though most can easily charge when needed during the day, they just don't want to, because they don't want to burn the calories exercising common sense.

 

[IJustWannaTalk]

Not everyone uses iCloud Backup, or iCloud Photo library, not everyone used streaming services for music…USB 2 speeds for such tasks feels like 2005, not 2025.

How long do you have to sit around while the transfer happens?
Has there been a time where the transfer speed prevented you from doing something you needed to do?

 

[ethanwa79]

Honestly pathetic.

 

[UliBaer]

Oh dear... 🤦‍♂️

 

[baryon]

Could someone explain to me why this is an issue?

This is clearly a phone not aimed at Pro users.

The 17 has two lenses and can record 4K video, how are you supposed to transfer those files off of the phone? If you're just not supposed to do that on a "non pro" device, why not just remove the lens and camera from the phone? I mean no one's recording video on a non pro phone right?

 

[qs933]

Could someone explain to me why this is an issue?

It gives people something to be “outraged” about.

I’m surprised they kept the port at all.

 

[IJustWannaTalk]

The 17 has two lenses and can record 4K video, how are you supposed to transfer those files off of the phone? If you're just not supposed to do that on a "non pro" device, why not just remove the lens and camera from the phone? I mean no one's recording video on a non pro phone right?

What do you mean "how"?

 

[bluecoast]

The amount of people who use anything other than the pro models to do fast data transfer must be vanishingly small.

I think that this is OK.

Apple dropped an even more broad hint in the keynote that the Pro models 'were the perfect models for content creators'

And actual professionals - hello BlackMagic collabs.

Meaning - if fast data transfer is important to you, get the iPhone pro 17.

 

[vertsix]

When doing a backup with my 16 Pro it seems the USB 3 speed doesn't even make a difference. Seems you only benefit if you're transferring large or many files or using certain accessories.

You are using an incorrect cable.

 

[ofarlig]

It’s 2025, if I transfer files I use wireless anyway. That one time a year I make a backup on my mac to test the public betas I can wait another minute.

 

[robfoll]

Just the usual whining and complaining about a feature that almost nobody ever uses. 99.999% of iPhone users never ever connect an iPhone using a cable (apart from charging). And even if you're that 0.001 percent the difference in speed won't actually make much difference.

 

[nuff_said]

If Apple had gone fully wireless with the iPhone Air, it would have been a bold move. But choosing to stick with a technology from the year 2000 is an even braver decision.

Took courage 😀

 

[dlopan]

USB 2? Common apple. hate to say it but accountants are in charge at apple. Ifixit was right.
Skip this one. Too much money, slow (sci fi slow) usb. What maroons. My G4 is faster (usb 3). The upgrade price on
that is vanishingly small amount, just my .02 cents worth if that much.

 

[IJustWannaTalk]

Not everyone uses iCloud Backup, or iCloud Photo library, not everyone uses streaming services for music…USB 2 speeds for such tasks feels like 2005, not 2025.

I’m not that special someone, but people do have different needs. I have a large offline music library and sync music via cable. I won’t complain too much about transfer speeds as I still use an iPod Classic for music, and syncing 100+GB music is something I don’t need to do often, but you know…improvement would be nice at this stage and pricepoint.

So you want them to increase the price so the thing most people seldom do is slightly faster?

 

[Taq'aix]

All the keynote speakers displayed a lack of genuine enthusiasm, likely because they were aware they were promoting exaggerated or overhyped ideas.

 

[Apple Tree Climber]

Apple is FINISHED. Steve would have never allowed this