These of us who’ve been ready impatiently for a USB-C iPhone, so we will lastly use a single set of cables for all our Apple units, will probably be getting our want on this yr’s iPhone 15 lineup. However a leaker with a good observe file warns that there could also be a catch.
ShrimpApplePro, who acquired {hardware} particulars proper for the iPhone 14, says that we’ll want to make use of a brand new lineup of MFi USB-C cables to get full performance …
Apple’s change to USB-C
Apple started its change to USB-C with Macs, the 12-inch MacBook being the primary mannequin to get the then-new port again in 2015. The corporate went all-in on USB-C ports within the MacBook Professional a yr later, earlier than backtracking a bit in 2021 by restoring MagSafe, HDMI, and SD card slots.
The iPad made the change from Lightning to USB-C in 2018, with the 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Professional fashions.
However the iPhone continued to make use of a Lightning port all the way in which as much as the present iPhone 14. That’s set to alter with the iPhone 15, when Apple will lastly substitute Lightning with USB-C for wired charging and knowledge switch.
USB-C iPhone catch
Nonetheless, ShrimpApplePro – who established credibility with Dynamic Island and iPhone 14 RAM leaks – says there will probably be a catch.
Yeah usb-c with MFI is occurring. Foxconn already in mass manufacturing equipment like EarPods and cables […] Cables w no MFI will probably be software program restricted in knowledge and charging pace.
We’re already anticipating the bottom mannequin iPhone 15, and iPhone 15 Plus, to have their knowledge switch speeds capped to USB 2.0 – whereas the Professional fashions will get dramatically quicker transfers.
Kuo says that the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus will retain the identical USB 2.0 switch speeds as Lightning. This implies knowledge switch speeds will probably be capped at 480 Mbps. This continues Apple’s technique of additional bifurcating the iPhone lineup between Professional and non-Professional fashions.
As such, Kuo stories that the iPhone 15 Professional and iPhone 15 Professional Max (or Extremely?) will characteristic “at the very least USB-C 3.2 or Thunderbolt 3” knowledge switch speeds. USB-C 3.2 may enhance knowledge switch speeds to as excessive as 20 Gbps, whereas Thunderbolt 3 would enhance that even additional to 40 Gbps.
But when this newest report is true, then the Professional fashions will solely get these speeds in the event you use both official Apple cables, or third-party ones with MFi certification. Wired charging speeds may even be restricted with out accredited cables.
This might doubtlessly imply that we can’t use all our present USB-C cables if we need to get full capabilities from the 2 Professional fashions.
9to5Mac’s Take
USB-C has at all times been a scorching mess, each for knowledge switch and charging. It’s an ordinary bodily format, however the capabilities out there by USB-C ports and cables are something however commonplace.
On the subject of knowledge switch, the identical bodily ports and cables may give you something from zero (in cables wired for charging however not knowledge) by 480Mbps to 40Gbps. For energy, you’ll want to know whether or not your cable helps USB-C Energy Supply (USB-C PD) – and if that’s the case, which model?
Apple providing limiting quicker knowledge switch speeds to the Professional fashions, as Kuo suggests, appears probably. However requiring MFi-chipped USB-C cables to get full speeds on these fashions would really feel to me like a step too far. There are many Apple clients who’ve decent-quality third-party USB-C cables we’re fortunately utilizing with our Macs and iPads, so for Apple to show round and require us to interchange them to activate the capabilities of a shiny new iPhone 15 Professional could be a slap within the face.
We very a lot hope this report is improper, nevertheless it does really feel worryingly Apple-like nowadays …
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