Rumor Recap: What to Expect From the iPhone 15's USB-C Port

All four iPhone 15 models launching later this year are expected to feature a USB-C port instead of Lightning. This change means the iPhone will support a more universal charging standard, benefit from faster data transfer speeds, and more.

Apple Prefer USB C Lightning Feature Remake
Below, we have recapped rumors about the iPhone switching to USB-C, including potential speed differences, other Apple accessories adopting USB-C, and more.

Speed Differences

While all iPhone 15 models are expected to have a USB-C port, only the Pro models will support at least USB 3.2 or Thunderbolt 3 for faster data transfer speeds up to 40 Gbps, according to Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. He expects the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus to remain limited to USB 2.0 speeds of up to 480 Mbps like Lightning.

iPad Pros gained Thunderbolt 3 support in 2021, while the USB-C port on the latest iPad Air is capable of up to 10 Gbps transfer speeds.

Made for iPhone Optimizations

Apple plans to optimize the fast-charging performance of chargers certified under its "Made for iPhone" program on iPhone 15 models, according to Kuo. Uncertified cables will allegedly have limited charging and data transfer speeds. It's worth noting that Apple does not limit uncertified cables for iPads with USB-C ports, so this would be a different approach with the iPhone if this rumor proves to be accurate.

Apple Accessories Moving to USB-C

With the iPhone 15 switching to USB-C, several Apple accessories are expected to follow suit:

The latest Siri Remote for the Apple TV already features a USB-C port.

Apple is expected to announce the iPhone 15 series in September. Many more changes are rumored for the Pro models, including a titanium frame, faster A17 Bionic chip, thinner bezels around the display, Wi-Fi 6E support, and more.

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Top Rated Comments

NLLV Avatar
35 months ago
It is getting harder to love apple when they do things like intentionally cripple a universal standard.

From the sounds of it, we will be locked into special USB cables even if we pay more for the Pro series phone to get the best fast charge and data speeds.

It is a little excessive, at least to me.
Score: 34 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jwilson25 Avatar
35 months ago
" He expects the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus to remain limited to USB 2.0 speeds of up to 480 Mbps like Lightning."

Sorry, but this is ridiculous.
Score: 33 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
35 months ago
Can we get USB-C color-matching cables specific to the iPhone color, please?

For example: How we have USB-C MagSafe 3 Cable in different colors.



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Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Choco Taco Avatar
35 months ago
The point of moving to USB-C (aside from the universal standard) is the speed. Making it the same speed as lightning would be incredibly stupid.
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
RalfTheDog Avatar
35 months ago
No more Freddie Mercury cables. This makes me sad. "Thunderbolt and Lightning very very frighting me!" Perhaps they could name their next cables Galileo Figaro.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
vegetassj4 Avatar
35 months ago

Can we get USB-C color-matching cables specific to the iPhone color, please?

For example: How we have USB-C MagSafe 3 Cable in different colors.


The've got more important things to worry about the color schemes for, like the new Polishing Cloth™ Pro:



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Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)