Will the iPhone 15 Have a USB-C Port?

After a decade of using the Lightning connector, Apple has finally made a change with the iPhone 15. The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro models will now feature a USB Type-C port, as confirmed during Apple’s September 2023 event. This marks the first time that an iPhone will use a standard USB connector. However, Apple is also working on developing a portless iPhone.

Prior to the Lightning connector, Apple used the 30-pin “dock” connector. The switch to Lightning in 2012 allowed for a more compact and reliable means of charging the iPhone and syncing data. The Lightning port also took on the role of an audio connector with the iPhone 7, eliminating the need for a 3.5mm headphone jack.

Apple has been hesitant to switch to USB-C due to the e-waste that would result from users needing to replace their Lightning cables and accessories. However, a new EU directive mandates that all smartphones, tablets, and headphones sold in the region must use USB-C as the only charging port. This directive will go into effect in 2024, leaving Apple with no choice but to comply. In order to avoid increased costs, Apple will revamp the connector for all regions.

As for charging speeds, the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus will utilize a USB-C port based on USB Gen 2 specifications, allowing for data transfer speeds of up to 480Mbps. The charging speed for the iPhone 15 is expected to max out at around 30 watts. The iPhone 15 Pro models, on the other hand, will utilize USB Gen 3 with theoretical charging speeds of up to 100W and data transfer at 10Gbps. However, rumors suggest that the charging speeds for the iPhone 15 Pro models will only be marginally higher than previous models.

It’s worth noting that Apple will only supply an older USB 2.0 cable with the iPhone 15, which limits both charging and data transfer speeds. To take advantage of faster charging speeds, users will need to purchase a separate cable that supports the USB Gen 3 protocol. Additionally, the iPhone 15 Pro does not appear to support Thunderbolt, a more advanced charging and data transfer protocol.

While the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro may not support Thunderbolt, they do support DisplayPort for projecting 4K video at 60Hz onto a larger display. Apple suggests purchasing a USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter for this purpose. Alternatively, a generic USB-C to HDMI adapter can be used, although it may be limited to a 30Hz output on larger screens.

In conclusion, the iPhone 15 will feature a USB-C port, marking a significant change from the Lightning connector. However, there are limitations to charging speeds and compatibility with Thunderbolt. Users will need to purchase additional cables and adapters to take advantage of certain features.

Sources:

– Apple

– Digital Trends