iPhone 15's USB-C Port: 4.5W Charging for Accessories, USB 3.2 Gen 2 for Pro Models, and More

[matrix07]

Maybe it’s time to use iPhones without a case to improve cooling.

I’m using my 14 Pro with Apple leather case and not once it ever overheats.

 

[flogician]

That’s what Airplay is for. Works absolutely great from my phone to my
LG TV for instance. Wirelessly. Instantly. No mess with stupid cables.

I personally have no clue what all this sudden fuss of wired data transfers is about when Apple just improved Airdrop a lot in iOS/iPadOs 17

Airdrop is brutally fast among all my Apple devices. And it has become much more reliable on large files.

I can't speak for everyone, but at least for myself, I got the Pro phone for taking photos, and if I'm shooting RAW photos (as I plan to), then transferring them over AirDrop or really any wireless protocol is going to bottleneck at my router/access point. Even "prosumer" routers with 10Gbps ports often can't sustain that transfer rate. You really need "enterprise" solutions, which even there are lacking for WiFi 6e, assuming the iPhone can even push data that fast over WiFi, which has not been demonstrated AFAIK.

 

[neuropsychguy]

What Apple has done is oddly unique - they've intentionally designed a USB-C cable that is limited to 2.0 speeds, despite the fact that pretty much any other USB-C cable in the world has at least 3.0 speeds.

I know you mean well but this is not true. Spend time looking at the specs of charging cables. Most are only USB 2.0 data speeds. I covered an example in a comment the other day: https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...b-c-woven-charge-cables.2401676/post-32468287

USB C cables are generally a mess because the port is the main thing that is standard. There are some USB C charging cables that do USB 3 data speeds but they are rare because why add the extra wires and cost if people aren't going to transfer data with the cable. There are charging cables (which can do some data transfer) and data cables (which can also charge). If you want a cord that does everything, you buy an expensive Thunderbolt 3 or 4 cable. They are thick, pricey, and generally fragile.

Edit: I saw that several others replied. I'll keep this comment because some people go back through old threads for information.

 

[Damian83]

It won’t cost them much, but if it’s something that few people will take advantage of, it’s a waste of money. It’s the same way it’s a waste of money to put charging bricks and headphones in the box. The best solution long term is to simply take the cable out of the box.

I can say the same of the iphone 15 itself. Keep your almost still shiny iphone 14 because ull have no advantages by buying a fully shiny iphone 15. But if u still cant resist to spend that money, buy an iphone 15 BOX as the best solution is simply to keep the phone out of it ;-)

 

[ninecows]

Almost nobody needs a USB 3 cable. It is bad for the environment to include something nobody needs.

I think USB3 and 2 are close to equally bad for the environment. What is bad for the environment is to include something that 10% is gonna trash and replace with something else. And what is pathetic is try to label a money grab as environmental friendly.

 

[neuropsychguy]

This is from Google technical specifications on the $1800 pixel fold:
Buttons and portsUSB Type-C® 3.2 Gen 2



In the box1 m USB-C® to USB-C cable (USB 2.0)

Exactly! Charging cables that only do USB 2.0 data speeds are the standard. Maybe this isn't a good standard but people need to realize that Apple is taking the standard approach with this. Maybe Apple could do better but cables that allow for faster data transfer tend to be thicker (you need the wires to do this) and somewhat less robust.

 

[matrix07]

There always is a reason for a law and the reason is reducing waste. The next thing Apple and other manufacturers will have to do is making the battery replaceable, but that probably again will not happen before there is a new EU law.

And they will just charge us for it in advance. Not sure why some folks love government interference so much.

 

[n-evo]

The 14 Pro does not have an overheating problem.

I would say it kinda does. During hotter weather it frequently happens my iPhone 14 Pro dims the maximum screen brightness to very low levels. With my previous iPhones that only happened when exposed directly to the sun.

 

[Bobcat32]

Does anyone know what the tech specs are for the cable that came with the iPad Pro in 2018 ,2020 etc? And if it’s any different than the one included with the newest iPhone? I tried looking around and I can’t find any info on it i.e apples website on Amazon or the Apple Store app. They have new versions out so that’s why I can’t. Frankly USB C’s next big thing needs to be identification. Like Ethernet cables that have their data stamped on them. All I know is irregardless if I need it or not I will be buying a thunderbolt 4 cable. Then a 5 and have just one to always be sure. This is already kinda getting to be ridiculous and idk why I’m annoyed

 

[ifxf]

How much more will it cost Apple (or the buyer since that's ultimately who will end up paying for it) to include a higher spec USB cable instead of one that can only do USB 2 speeds? I'm going to say less than $5.

When selling 300 million phones a year you are talking real money.

 

[citivolus]

As we previously reported, the document indicates that all iPhone 15 models support DisplayPort for up to 4K HDR video mirroring to an external display or TV with a supported USB-C to DisplayPort cable, or an adapter.

My 2018 iPad Pro supported video mirroring up to 6K when connected to my Pro Display XDR with a USB 3.1 Gen 2 port (not TB). Pretty disappointing that Apple seems to be software limiting the iPhone 15 Pro’s in this regard.

 

[Rob198612]

They mentioned in the keynote a separate cable is needed for usb 3.0

 

[Rob198612]

How bad will it be to charge using a USB-C to USB-A cable with an older power adapter?

Usb a to usb c you won’t get the full benefit of usb c

Will result in slower chargering slower data transfer

 

[4odomi]

In a support document published on Friday, Apple provided some additional details about the USB-C port found on all iPhone 15 models.

First, Apple said all iPhone 15 models can charge an Apple Watch, AirPods case, or other small accessories connected to the USB-C port at up to 4.5W. Apple already announced this capability, but it had not provided the wattage information.

Second, the document reveals that the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max support USB 3.2 Gen 2 for data transfer speeds up to 10 Gbps. Apple had already revealed that the devices support USB 3, but the exact specification is now confirmed. The USB-C cable included with iPhone 15 Pro models supports USB 2 speeds, so a higher-spec cable is needed for faster speeds.

As we previously reported, the document indicates that all iPhone 15 models support DisplayPort for up to 4K HDR video mirroring to an external display or TV with a supported USB-C to DisplayPort cable, or an adapter. However, unlike select iPad models with Stage Manager, the iPhone lacks an extended display mode.

iPhone 15 Pro models also support recording ProRes video directly to an external storage device, at up to 4K and 60 frames per second.

To connect an iPhone 15 to a vehicle with a USB-A port for wired CarPlay usage, Apple says customers can use a USB-C to USB-A cable.

Additional information is outlined in the support document.

Article Link: iPhone 15's USB-C Port: 4.5W Charging for Accessories, USB 3.2 Gen 2 for Pro Models, and More

High Transfer speeds is a niche requirement, hardly surprising you need a faster and more expensive cable to do that.
Apple is all about not increasing prices right now

 

[Andres Cantu]

That’s going to cause so much unnecessary confusion for the customers who will need to use those features.

Apple always claims to be the company that strives in user friendliness. Time for them to have less talk, more action.

 

[GuruZac]

How much more will it cost Apple (or the buyer since that's ultimately who will end up paying for it) to include a higher spec USB cable instead of one that can only do USB 2 speeds? I'm going to say less than $5.

Multiplied by 10s to 100 million units and that adds up quickly. I’m by no means defending Apple but they likely see this move to include a standard USB-C cable as what most iPhone Pro users will ever need (in one of those) but also a way to save them $10s of millions.

 

[GuruZac]

High Transfer speeds is a niche requirement, hardly surprising you need a faster and more expensive cable to do that.
Apple is all about not increasing prices right now

I agree, but I think the point is Apple could easily afford to take a few dollars less profit on each iPhone by including the higher speed cables, while keeping prices the same.

 

[4odomi]

So people who buy a $1K+ Pro model and use the cable that came with it will be crippled on speed, possibly without even knowing it? Jesus, Apple, just how cheap are you? That's so awful.

It's very simple, you're buying a phone with a charging cable, not a high speed data transfer cable, considering the prices have been held, it's not too much to ask the very few that need or want it to invest $20 extra

 

[spazzcat]

How much more will it cost Apple (or the buyer since that's ultimately who will end up paying for it) to include a higher spec USB cable instead of one that can only do USB 2 speeds? I'm going to say less than $5.

And how many millions of phones do they sell, and how many people do data transfer anymore? Here is the thing: Apple has this data. They did the math, and I am guessing the results don't support putting the higher-speed cable in the box.

 

[MrRom92]

The iPad Pros have TB ports; they can be used on computers with USB3.2 or even USB2.0. Nothing would be locked out if the iPhone Pros had TB.

My experience with thunderbolt devices so far has been that they are not recognized on computers with USB 3.2 even when this amount of bandwidth is far above their usable needs, so I guess this is not universal. It has led me to purchase only non-thunderbolt alternatives. Still, I doubt the storage in the iPhone can achieve much greater than 10gbps speeds, if at all, so no great loss either way. This is already such a huge upgrade from the 480mbps we’ve been living with since 2007.

 

[Mrkevinfinnerty]

We all knew in our hearts that USB C would significantly improve the iPhone and now it is real. Credit to the EU for making it all possible.

💚🤍💚

 

[MrRom92]

I don’t know why people expected otherwise, Apple doesn’t provide higher end Thunderbolt cables in the Macs and iPads even if they support it. I’m not even sure if the charging cable for iPad Pros is USB 3.2. I would think not.

Many people on this very forum argued that most individuals, including most of those buying the Pro iPhone, never transfer data over the cable. So in that case it doesn’t make sense to provide a more expensive cable to consumers that wouldn’t use it to its full capabilities in 99% of the cases. Pros who really need faster transfer speed capabilities most likely already own a USB 3 cable anyway.

I really don’t like this positioning of wired data transfer as being considered a “pro” feature though. It’s an absolutely basic feature, a core function of the iPhone that’s been there since launch. It was something that everyone did, and everyone HAD to do at a point. Have we as a society devolved and become so technologically inept that what used to be a basic procedure - already made so simple even children and the elderly could routinely do it - is now seen as “advanced” and “pro level” device usage?

 

[mlayer]

What makes you think a TB controller is more expensive to fabricate than a USB controller?

I mean Apple isn’t buying these controllers - they are built into into the A series chip….

There might be all sorts of reasons Apple went with USB 3 vs TB 3, but I bet cost isn’t one of them.

Apple’s Mac computers have TB support. iPhones never have so far and the next one that does will be the first. TB adoption has been limited throughout the industry because of its additional cost as it requires a separate or premium controller from Intel or Texas Instruments (or Apple). Cost and power usage are the chief factors here. Most PCs don’t have TB, though Intel may get greater adoption from TB 5. For now that’s well beyond any smartphone’s needs.

Mac User Guide

Learn what’s new in macOS, how to get started with your Mac and use it with your Apple devices, and how to control privacy and security on macOS.

support.apple.com

 

[darngooddesign]

My experience with thunderbolt devices so far has been that they are not recognized on computers with USB 3.2 even when this amount of bandwidth is far above their usable needs, so I guess this is not universal. It has led me to purchase only non-thunderbolt alternatives. Still, I doubt the storage in the iPhone can achieve much greater than 10gbps speeds, if at all, so no great loss either way. This is already such a huge upgrade from the 480mbps we’ve been living with since 2007.

I can’t speak to 3rd party devices, but I doubt Apple will sell a Mac with USB3.2 which doesn’t fully support the iPhone.

 

[darngooddesign]

I really don’t like this positioning of wired data transfer as being considered a “pro” feature though. It’s an absolutely basic feature, a core function of the iPhone that’s been there since launch. It was something that everyone did, and everyone HAD to do at a point. Have we as a society devolved and become so technologically inept that what used to be a basic procedure - already made so simple even children and the elderly could routinely do it - is now seen as “advanced” and “pro level” device usage?

The reason for the difference is simple. The iPhone 15s are using the A16 which has a USB2 controller while the 15 Pros are using the A17 which has a USB3 controller. If you want USB3 on the base iPhones wait a year for the 16s to use the A17.