The transition from Lightning to USB-C in the iPhone 15 lineup this week was not unexpected for those who had been following Apple’s hints and the new EU regulations requiring such a change. There were rumors circulating about how Apple would handle USB-C, specifically concerning potential limitations on data and charging speeds for non-certified accessories, except those within its Made for iPhone (MFI) program.
All You Need to Know about iPhone 15 and USB-C Port
These rumors suggested that uncertified USB-C accessories might only support basic functions, like 480Mbps USB 2.0 data transfer and slower charging rates. However, recent reports indicate that the new iPhones support 20W fast charging, with the possibility of faster charging using higher-wattage adapters.
Additionally, the iPhones can provide up to 4.5W of power to connected accessories like the USB-C AirPods case. Officially licensed Lightning cables use a small controller chip for authentication, and cables lacking this chip may generate error messages and refuse to work.
Despite these rumors, it was hard to believe that Apple would restrict the use of standard USB-C cables and chargers, especially since the company has been using fully compliant USB-C ports in its Macs and iPads for years. In fact, Apple’s USB-C ports appeared less finicky than some PC counterparts, which often complained about slow charging or reduced performance when used with third-party chargers.
It has now been confirmed that iPhones have standard USB-C ports compatible with existing USB 3 and USB-PD compliant cables, chargers, and accessories, just like Apple’s other devices. This includes third-party chargers from companies like Mophie and Belkin that were on the market before the iPhone 15’s release.
While there may still be a licensing program for iPhone-compatible USB-C accessories, the fears of mandatory Apple-licensed cables and chargers for optimal performance were unfounded. Apple’s approach to selling cables, dongles, and chargers separately over the years contributed to these concerns, with Macs no longer including charger extension cables, iPhones omitting headphones and chargers, and the shift to USB-C and Lightning dongles for older ports.
Nevertheless, the iPhone’s USB-C ports will function like those in iPads and Macs, offering both advantages and drawbacks inherent to USB-C. USB-C, like other USB standards, represents an improvement over its predecessors but must cater to a wide range of devices, from basic smart home accessories to high-powered gaming laptops. This variability makes the standard somewhat messy, as it separates the specifications for physical USB-C ports from data transfer speeds, alternate modes for connecting to non-USB accessories, and USB-PD for charging speeds.
Distinguishing between cables and chargers with different capabilities can be challenging, with higher-quality, more capable cables often being thicker. Thunderbolt cables, denoted by a thunderbolt icon on the port ends, usually support all of USB-C’s features but come at a higher cost.
Cables and chargers typically specify their maximum data transfer speeds and wattages. iPhones, for example, support 20W charging, but using higher-wattage chargers won’t overcharge the battery. Likewise, using lower-wattage chargers and cables with devices supporting higher wattages is acceptable, albeit with slower charging rates.
In the early days of USB-C, there were issues with flimsy, under-spec, and potentially damaging cables, but sticking to reputable brand names generally ensures reliability now. Recognizable third-party cables have worked well in various scenarios. For iPhone 15 Pro users seeking 10Gbps USB 3 transfer speeds, selecting a cable that supports these speeds is essential, as Apple’s basic USB-C charger cables only support USB 2.0 transfer rates, suitable for basic recovery purposes but not for large data transfers.
However, this challenge is common to all USB-C devices. USB-C is not without its flaws, particularly when the USB-IF makes questionable decisions like renaming old standards or relying on logos to solve technical issues.
