After Apple’s much-anticipated iPhone 15 event on September 12, 2023, the tech giant unveiled a range of related accessories, expanding its offerings beyond the core product releases. Alongside the new iPhones, Apple introduced a USB-C to Lightning adapter and a one-meter Thunderbolt 4 Pro cable. However, Apple has secretly introduced two new USB-C charge cables intended to improve the charging experience for iPhone 15 models, iPads, and Macs.
All About The New Cables from Apple
One of the new additions is the 60W 1-meter USB-C Charge Cable, priced at $19. Apple describes this cable with USB-C ports on both ends as “ideal for charging, syncing, and transferring data between USB-C devices.” It can handle charging voltages of up to 240 watts, allowing it to charge different Apple products. Furthermore, it enables data transfers at USB 2 rates, ensuring that data is efficiently transferred between compatible devices.
This cable stands out because of its broad compatibility. It works seamlessly with all iPhone 15 models, accommodating the latest iPad and Mac models as well. When used with a compatible USB-C power adapter, this cable allows users to charge their devices from a wall outlet.
While it’s true that the standard iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus now come equipped with a USB-C port, offering modern connectivity advantages, data transfer remains confined to USB 2.0 speeds, reaching up to 480 Mbps. This speed is consistent with the Lightning port used in previous iPhone iterations.
However, the higher-tier iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max feature a USB-C port with more robust capabilities. These devices support transfer speeds up to 10 GBPS over a cable, delivering a significant improvement in data transfer rates compared to the regular ones.
To cater to the diverse needs of Apple users, the company has also made its existing Thunderbolt 4 Pro cable available in a shorter one-meter size, priced at $69. This move ensures that those seeking high-speed data transfers while sitting afar from the charger can still have the benefits of Thunderbolt 4 technology.