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iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Limited to USB 2

Well ... We had rain here in Timmyville today.
Should have been lightning too.
I have this phone which I got for 1/2 price ($60):
https://www.lively.com/phones/jitterbug-smart4
Headphone jack & microSD.
My point is Apple chronically sells from the top down.
They also arbitrarily decide what the customer needs (or doesn't need).
Some of you accept it and even make excuses.
Others complain. I agree!
Some Android customers and manufacturers are perhaps rubbing their hands together.
I think Steve might have done the same thing.
 
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Apple_Robert said:
The only time I connect my phone to my Mac is to either backup with iMazing or do transfers using iMazing. As such, the USB 2 is really a non-issue for me.

If it is an issue for someone who actually does large transfers throughout the day where seconds and minutes equate to real business money, I can understand said people going with the Pro models.
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Thats understandable and I'm sure your use case is very similar to the masses who buy the baseline 17. I know my parents would never use such a thing.

As a consumer I desire way more in the products I purchase. I respect companies who refuse to cut corners on their baseline products. Can be seen time and time again on the android side offering the same for far less cost. The cost trade-off for USB 3.0 is very minimal based on the willingness of competitors to include it.
 
Crzyrio said:
We are not making excuses for coporations, this is how the world works. Apple is aiming to hit a % Margin to please their stakeholders.

So the choice is either, put A19 PRO with USB 3.0 everywhere and keep prices of all the phones higher or streamline their operations based on the target market.

You cannot have your cake and eat it too. This choice made by Apple is best for 99% of the consumers that buy the iPhone.
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You are comparing a pro chip to USB 3.0 support that costs little to implement.

The cost trade-off for USB 3.0 is very minimal based on the willingness of all competitors to include it often for lower prices.
 
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Apple_Robert said:
I have synced hundred of audio books that way. And while it wasn't near instantaneous, it also wasn't a big deal for me to wait extra seconds or even a few minutes extra while I was doing something else.

Apple is in the business to make as much money as possible for the shareholders, which I am one, and I don't have a problem with this move. I don't see this as a hill I needs to die on.
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Putting shareholders first is exactly how Apple slid from the most valuable company in the world to third place. Keep cutting corners and leaving a bad taste with loyal customers, and that’s the result. It was word of mouth from tech-savvy users that built Apple’s reputation in the first place, but that seems conveniently forgotten. I’ll never understand how people hand over £999 of hard-earned cash for a phone and then happily accept 2015 level mediocrity.
 
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SilmarilFinder said:
Putting shareholders first is exactly how Apple slid from the most valuable company in the world to third place. Keep cutting corners and leaving a bad taste with loyal customers, and that’s the result. It was word of mouth from tech-savvy users that built Apple’s reputation in the first place, but that seems conveniently forgotten. I’ll never understand how people hand over £999 of hard-earned cash for a phone and then happily accept 2015 level mediocrity.
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Apple is far from perfect. Every company cuts corners. Depending on the corners involved, that in and of itself may or may not be a detriment to sales of products.

If the Air tanks and it can be definitively shown that it was due to USB 2 being in the phone instead of USB 3, then those here railing on Apple about USB will be able to gloat. I don't believe that that day is going to happen.

The average user isn't going to delve into all the tech specs of the new iPhones and be obsessed like so many here. They are going to be looking at design and the bottom line cost. That is a fact. Those who buy based on work or hobby need know what they need and look for it, in order to make an informed decision.

The Air will sell well because its design is different while offering a nice screen etc.

Apple has always had large profit margins and they will do all they can to keep them if not expand them when allowed.

The good thing is there is a phone for every person. And I don't have to agree with your choice anymore than you have to agree with any of my phone, Mac, or watch choices. The important thing is to be informed consumers, spend our money on products we enjoy regardless of what others may buy.

What has been happening in this thread is a lot of passive aggressive shaming to those liking / looking to buy the Air. And in my opinion, that is wrong and there is no excuse for it from adults.
 
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UliBaer said:
I don't get the whole discussion here?! 🤔
This was obviously done on purpose to upsell to the Pro models. ;)
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It feels like a lot of people expect every phone to be built to their specific needs and/or desires.

And yeah on that second part.
 
platinumaqua said:
Petty but not unexpected
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A very classic move "in the kitchen" (the Excel spreadsheet) from the "Cook".

Screenshot 2025-09-09 at 17.14.11.png
 
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Apple_Robert said:
Apple is far from perfect. Every company cuts corners. Depending on the corners involved, that in and of itself may or may not be a detriment to sales of products.

If the Air tanks and it can be definitively shown that it was due to USB 2 being in the phone instead of USB 3, then those here railing on Apple about USB will be able to gloat. I don't believe that that day is going to happen.

The average user isn't going to delve into all the tech specs of the new iPhones and be obsessed like so many here. They are going to be looking at design and the bottom line cost. That is a fact. Those who buy based on work or hobby need know what they need and look for it, in order to make an informed decision.

The Air will sell well because its design is different while offering a nice screen etc.

Apple has always had large profit margins and they will do all they can to keep them if not expand them when allowed.

The good thing is there is a phone for every person. And I don't have to agree with your choice anymore than you have to agree with any of my phone, Mac, or watch choices. The important thing is to be informed consumers, spend our money on products we enjoy regardless of what others may buy.

What has been happening in this thread is a lot of passive aggressive shaming to those liking / looking to buy the Air. And in my opinion, that is wrong and there is no excuse for it from adults.
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Would you pay £37k for a 2025 VW Golf with a 1.9 TDI, 90hp, 13” wheels, and radio plus AC as optional extras?

Nobody’s shaming you for liking what you like, but if people don’t call out the obvious corners being cut, how’s anything ever meant to improve?
 
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SilmarilFinder said:
Would you pay £37k for a 2025 VW Golf with a 1.9 TDI, 90hp, 13” wheels, and radio plus AC as optional extras?
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And what if they were shipping it with no aux jack and only a CD (or Tape!) player.

Back up to 2000 technology and insert that into the "new in 2025 VW Golf" and see who wants that.
 
baryon said:
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?
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Airdrop is a great option. If going to a windows computer there are apps like Link to Windows.
 
SilmarilFinder said:
Would you pay £37k for a 2025 VW Golf with a 1.9 TDI, 90hp, 13” wheels, and radio plus AC as optional extras?

Nobody’s shaming you for liking what you like, but if people don’t call out the obvious corners being cut, how’s anything ever meant to improve?
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I am not saying you were shaming me but, I think others were doing so with me and other members.

If I really liked the car and was fine with what it offered, I would buy it. That is normally how I operate.
 
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I do occasionally plug my phone in to build an app but i don't need USB 3 speeds. That being said, apple did say there were pro features in this phone and yet
 
I got my hand slapped by the moderation team for my previous replies, so let me try this again.

I am of a superior intelligence where I choose to spend money on brand new items with 25 year old technologies. I feel superior in every way because I understand that the multi trillion dollar company I love supports me in every way. I know this because they use old technology in a new phone.

This is 4D chess from the company I love.

Take My Money.gif
 
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FlavorfulTreat said:
The USB 2.0 specification was released on April 27, 2000. You’re good with paying top dollar for 25 year old tech? Neat.
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I have a 16 Pro so I’m not upgrading this year but if I bought an Air, I wouldn’t care about the USB 2 speeds. In 10+ years of using iPhones I’ve never transferred data off an iPhone using a cable. In my case I literally could not care less about the USB 2 limitation. And if I don’t care, it’s not a stretch to say that the vast majority of people will not care. Most people simply don’t know the difference between USB 2 and 3. People here commenting on MacRumors are not like the average consumer.

For some people it will be an issue. They’ll need to decide if it’s an issue they are willing to work with.
 
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dredlew said:
Have fun transferring ProRes files over USB2 or Airdrop. And yes, people actually use video features on the phone.
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Do you think a lot of people with non-Pro phones are shooting in ProRes?

Seems to only exist on the Pro models, right?
 
IJustWannaTalk said:
You think people with non-Pro phones are shooting in ProRes?
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Why put the A19 Pro in the Air then I guess?

I would also say that "yes" I think people of all stripes will be using the Air, as they are almost certainly drawn to it for the unique form factor.

This isn't the normal "non-pro" vs "pro" user distinction we are accustomed to.
 
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contacos said:
No difference to me. Don't recall the last time I even connected my phone to my Mac. Everything is in the cloud and almost instantly available when needed.
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I agree. I came here to comment that this phone is not really for content creators who are going to be doing tons of video on their phones and transferring a lot of big files. Just not the target audience. I am excited to get mine. I will miss the pro cameras, but I know I will enjoy the lightness and thinness every single time I pick up the device.
 
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turbineseaplane said:
Why put the A19 Pro in the Air then I guess?

I would also say that "yes" I think people of all stripes will be using the Air, as they are almost certainly drawn to it for the unique form factor.

This isn't the normal "non-pro" vs "pro" user distinction we are accustomed to.
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When I buy any brand new technology I often request old technology inside.

I was able to get Sony to put a DVD player in my OLED. I love it and it makes total sense to me. I would never think it’s just a grift on an industrial scale.
 
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