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Kuo: iPhone 15 MFi Requirements Expected to Boost Apple USB-C Charger Shipments

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Apple's upcoming iPhone 15 series will include support for faster charging speeds when used with MFi-certified USB-C chargers, including its own 20W Power Adapter, according to the latest research note from Apple industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

20wvchargerfeature.jpg

This year, Apple will transition the iPhone from Lightning to USB-C in order to comply with European regulations that require electronic devices to have non-proprietary, common charging methods.

As part of the move, Apple is expected to restrict certain advantages of USB-C like faster charging and data speeds to work with MFi-certified cables and chargers only. As a result, Kuo believes Apple is anticipating a major increase in demand for its own USB-C 20W Power Adapter. From his latest post on Medium:
I believe Apple will optimize the fast charging performance of MFi-certified chargers for the iPhone 15. Among Apple's chargers, the 20W USB-C model is the most cost-effective choice for iPhone users, resulting in strong replacement demand for 20W USB-C chargers.
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In addition to the benefits of owning an Apple-certified charger, Kuo believes that another potential driving factor behind the strong replacement demand will be iPhone 15 customers' desire to own more than one USB-C charger to meet the need for more charging locations.

Given these factors, Kuo says that shipments of Apple's USB-C 20W Power Adapter in 2023 are "expected to see a significant 30–40% YoY growth, amounting to 230–240 million units," with Apple supplier LY iTech standing out as the main beneficiary in terms of revenue contribution.

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 do not feature this chip, often leading to "This accessory is not supported" warnings on connected Apple devices.

Rumors have suggested that the replacement USB-C port on iPhone 15 models will continue to have a Lightning-like authentication chip, despite USB-C ports on Apple's iPads having no such chip. The concern from a user perspective is that Apple will use the MFi program to limit features like fast charging and high-speed data transfer to Apple and MFi-certified cables. Kuo's latest prediction appears to suggest the same.

Kuo has previously claimed that 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.

Article Link: Kuo: iPhone 15 MFi Requirements Expected to Boost Apple USB-C Charger Shipments
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2023/03/21/kuo-iphone-usb-c-faster-charging-speeds/
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Apple‘s MFi is just ridiculous at this moment. Are current Apple (MacBook, iPad) USB-C chargers even MFi certified? Does this mean I can’t fully utilize my current Apple USB-C chargers?

Just stop milking this cow already and give us standardized USB-PD.

Also this whole “We care about environment“ is clearly nonsense.
 
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As already noted by several people, including myself (after reading the legislation), a move like that would likely not be compatible with the requirements of the common charger legislation, which dictates USB PD support for faster charging.
 
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"As part of the move, Apple is expected to restrict certain advantages of USB-C like faster charging and data speeds to work with MFi-certified cables and chargers only. As a result, Kuo believes Apple is anticipating a major increase in demand for its own USB-C 20W Power Adapter. "

I don't understand why Apple feels the need to screw over the consumer when creating USB-C chargers.
 
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Still can‘t understand, why everyone is so sure about a USB-C iPhone this year. (I mean I like the physical Lighning connector, but can value the USB-C benefits despite missing the „built-quality of Lighning vs USB-C).
But unfortunately, that law comes in effect by the END of 2024, so technically Apple could easily get away with shipping even the iPhone 16 LineUp with Lightning (Since the production and shipping will have started before the „law-enforcing“-date). Only the then new iPhone 17 in 2025 will actually be obligated to actually ship with USB-C
 
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hacky said:
Apple‘s MFi is just ridiculous at this moment. Are current Apple (MacBook, iPad) USB-C chargers even MFi certified? Does this mean I can’t fully utilize my current Apple USB-C chargers?

Just stop milking this cow already and give us standardized USB-PD.

Also this whole “We care about environment“ is clearly nonsense.
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None of them are, MFi on USB-C hasn't been a thing to this point. So yeah, Apples own cables for iPads won't work fully on iPhones.

nightmars said:
Still can‘t understand, why everyone is so sure about a USB-C iPhone this year. (I mean I like the physical Lighning connector, but can value the USB-C benefits despite missing the „built-quality of Lighning vs USB-C).
But unfortunately, that law comes in effect by the END of 2024, so technically Apple could easily get away with shipping even the iPhone 16 LineUp with Lightning (Since the production and shipping will have started before the „law-enforcing“-date). Only the then new iPhone 17 in 2025 will actually be obligated to actually ship with USB-C
Click to expand...

The law doesn't care when you started production and shipping. That's why these things are announced years in advance (and even then, Apple had since 2009 to agree with the industry on a standard and just refused). The iPhone 15 could reasonably be released with Lightning still, that's true, but the iPhone 16 would release after the law comes into effect, and would definitely be required to have USB-C.
 
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nightmars said:
Still can‘t understand, why everyone is so sure about a USB-C iPhone this year. (I mean I like the physical Lighning connector, but can value the USB-C benefits despite missing the „built-quality of Lighning vs USB-C).
But unfortunately, that law comes in effect by the END of 2024, so technically Apple could easily get away with shipping even the iPhone 16 LineUp with Lightning (Since the production and shipping will have started before the „law-enforcing“-date). Only the then new iPhone 17 in 2025 will actually be obligated to actually ship with USB-C
Click to expand...
Everybody already knows that, but it’s clear that Apple is doing it this year anyway, a year before they have to, get with the times.
 
ItsASpider said:
The law doesn't care when you started production and shipping. That's why these things are announced years in advance (and even then, Apple had since 2009 to agree with the industry on a standard and just refused). The iPhone 15 could reasonably be released with Lightning still, that's true, but the iPhone 16 would release after the law comes into effect, and would definitely be required to have USB-C.
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Na - have experienced the same things multiple times before here (in the EU). The law was passed for „new“ devices. By Dec 28th 2024 (law coming in effect), the iPhone 16 will only be an „existing“ device. It was the same, when phone contracts had to include cost-free roaming within the EU - that was also for „new“ contracts. Existing contracts /that are renewed every year) are still and will be forever sold with additional roaming costs… Still hoping and supporting a 2023 USB-C device though.
 
Another "standard" for USB-C charger/cables 💀

Varying wattage and data speeds without clear labels were bad enough
 
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