Other USB-C iPhone: The Ugly Truth

[davedvdy]

So called ‘creators’ can just offload their media through photos or Files, Dropbox or any other equivalent. Who cares about the cable…

"Who cares about the cable?" --and-- "no one cares about the transfer speed".

Yet:

https://www.macrumors.com/2022/09/16/iphone-14-pro-lightning-usb-2-speeds/

https://www.dtgre.com/2022/09/why-iphone-14-pro-usb-transfer-speed.html#:~:text=In fact, the iPhone 14,4K videos using the cable.

https://wccftech.com/iphone-14-pro-...b-2-0-speeds-despite-an-upgraded-48mp-camera/

https://www.notebookcheck.net/Super...-port-running-at-USB-2-0-speeds.653141.0.html

https://mobilesyrup.com/2022/09/19/iphone-14-pros-lightning-usb-2-0-48mp-proraw-support/

https://appuals.com/usb-2-0-speeds-iphone-14-pro/

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

Whenever Apple limits a feature/spec through omission of hardware or “artificially” via software, it’s

A. Because they want you to buy a more expensive model of the same product, like an iPad Air or Pro instead of an iPad 10th Gen.

B. Because they want you to get another product from a completely different line of products. That’s why we’re never getting MacOS or Final Cut, Logic, etc., on iPads, and never will get Macs with Touch or Pencil support. Also why AirPods will never get health features, and if so only to be “unlocked” if you pair with a Watch (and iPhone, of course).

C. They want to make the model you buy now feel “obsolete” when a future iteration drops: Apple plans out products and specs many years in advance to make sure there’s always plenty of reasons to upgrade.

In conclusion, Apple kept Lighting USB 2.0 because they don’t want you to use it like you would an iPad Pro or Mac. You’re not supposed to have the contemporary transfer speeds and easily manipulate and move files as you would on a Mac or iPad(iPad still very limited despite contemporary files transfer speeds).

It’s an easy way to “force” you to get more Apple devices.

I think it’s more about their services. They know the iPhone is the most popular product, they know the iPhone is probably the product that’s getting connected to other devices the least, they can put a slower transfer speed in it and force you to use iCloud and airdrop.
Same reason the iPhone doesn’t have a headphone jack while the Mac still does, they know iPhone users are a lot more likely to just want to use wireless.
Or why the Apple Watch can’t operate independently from an iPhone.

 

[davedvdy]

Me thinks that there are many non-pro’s that is buying the pro. Not because they consider them self pro’s. Just because they need the things that are in the pro.

That apple puts the pro label on doesn’t make either the user pro or the gadget suitable for real pro’s.

Some iPhone users that are professional photographers or video users want BOTH to be capable devices for their purposes. The smartphone camera obviously has limitations for a multitude of reasons. Even if the iPhone isn't equal to a DSLR, some users want it to be as capable as possible (eg Austin Mann), and of course improve (which it does).

I can't remember that quote but it's basically "the best camera is the one that is currently in your pocket", and many don't walk around with their DSLR rigs everywhere they go.

 

[Bento.Box]

Let’s start by busting a myth, Lightning is not restricted to USB 2.0 speeds.
The iPhone is restricted to USB 2.0 speeds, Lightning is not.
The iPad Pro from 2017 had a Lightning port on it, and that Lightning port supported USB 3.0 speeds.

Lightning with USB 3 speeds was obviously something that didn't achieve the results they wanted, hence they switched to USB-C.

The iphone is the only device with lightning and the data speed is one of it's biggest disadvantages over competing phones.

CHARGING SPEEDS
The iPhone has slowly increased its charging speed, from 18W, to 20W, most recently to 27W.
I fully expect that to continue.
Anyone expecting the change to USB-C will force Apple to allow 35W, 45W, 60W+ charging I think will be very mistaken.
I fully expect them to keep the fast charging speed at 27W, or if there is an increase it will be very small.

Charging is limited to around 13W for my 2 year old iphone. The limiting factor is usually the size of the battery. Since apple devices are usually more efficient and have smaller batteries, they charge slower.

Another limiting factor is apples original cabling. With the supplied USB-C to Lightning cable, it couldn't reach full charging when connected to my standard USB A 18W charger with a passive adapter. But if I connect an aftermarket cable, it can.

COMPATIBILITY

Apple has this pop-up in iOS, it sounds a little something like this:

“This accessory cannot be verified.”

There’s more to it but you get the point.

I fully expect this pop-up to quickly become very common when people pick up their new iPhones, stick some $1.50 USB-C cable that came with some random gadget into their iPhone and it doesn’t like it.

USB cables are passive, the controller usually sees only which device is connected. A 1.5$ cable from Aliexpress usually has better built quality than what apple is usually supplying. I also didn't have any problems with aftermarket USB cables charging my ipad air 4 (as long as they are type c and support PD). Works flawlessly. It's only lightning which has issues, depending on the combination of cables, adapters and chargers.

I wouldn’t even be surprised if by 2025 they just… don’t ship a cable at all.

Which wouldn't be worse compared to what they do now. The cable supplied with my iphone could not be used to charge the iphone or connect it to the PC for backup / sync, so I had to buy new cables anyway.

At least with USB-C, you can now use existing cabling.

Although I disagree with governments getting involved in things like this, I do think Apple switching to USB-C on all of their devices is the right thing to do and will benefit everyone in the long run. I’ve just seen people runaway with theories about how great it will be, and wanted to give my perspective as a skeptic.

I also see it as something positive. I wouldn't be so skeptic. In the end, apple wants to make money. If they end up with a borked implementation or even a portless phone, people will just buy a fairphone or something else. Doesn't make sense from a business perspective to pay money in opportunity costs just to stick it to the crowd who wants their iphone to be a bit faster than their ipod classic when syncing music.

 

[4389842]

You’ve clearly never worked with big media files and deadlines, and the highly inconsistent nature of transferring hundreds of GBs of files wirelessly.

Ever heard of Airdrop? Works flawlessly, even for large files.

 

[mikethemartian]

I know everyone is riding on a high because top level Apple executives confirm that they have to comply with the new European law and switch the iPhone over to USB-C within the next two years, most likely in next year's iPhone 15 series.
But I’ve seen a lot of people make some assumptions about this change that I don't think are going to be quite accurate, and I think a lot of people are going to be in for a rude awakening when it happens.
SPEED
Let’s start by busting a myth, Lightning is not restricted to USB 2.0 speeds.
The iPhone is restricted to USB 2.0 speeds, Lightning is not.
The iPad Pro from 2017 had a Lightning port on it, and that Lightning port supported USB 3.0 speeds.
If Apple wanted the iPhone to have faster transfer speeds, they could’ve done it.
They could’ve done it in 2017 alongside the iPad, but they didn’t.
They could’ve did it when they introduced Pro-res and Raw support, but they didn’t.
They could’ve done it when they introduced 1TB iPhones, but they didn’t.
They could’ve done it when they introduced a 48 Megapixel camera, but they didn’t.

It’s not a restriction of the port, it’s a deliberate choice on Apple’s part to keep the iPhone at USB 2.0 transfer speeds.
In fact, this was proven just this week.
Apple introduced the tenth generation iPad.
It has a USB-C port.

And Wouldn’t you know it…
https://www.macrumors.com/2022/10/27/ipad-10-slower-usb-c-port/
That’s right, USB-C, but 2.0 transfer speeds.
And I absolutely expect the iPhone 15 to follow the trend.
Maybe, MAYBE the iPhone 15Pro and Pro Max, or just the Pro Max get slightly faster speeds.
But if you are expecting to get a new iPhone next year that goes from 2.0 speeds up to whatever the latest thunderbolt protocol is, I don't think that's going to happen.
Apple, for whatever dumb reason they have, thinks the transfer speed of the iPhone doesn’t need to go past 2.0.
I don’t agree, but I’m also not stupid.
I don’t think a forced port switch will change their minds.
Which brings us to another aspect…


CHARGING SPEEDS
The iPhone has slowly increased its charging speed, from 18W, to 20W, most recently to 27W.
I fully expect that to continue.
Anyone expecting the change to USB-C will force Apple to allow 35W, 45W, 60W+ charging I think will be very mistaken.
I fully expect them to keep the fast charging speed at 27W, or if there is an increase it will be very small.


COMPATIBILITY

Apple has this pop-up in iOS, it sounds a little something like this:

“This accessory cannot be verified.”

There’s more to it but you get the point.

I fully expect this pop-up to quickly become very common when people pick up their new iPhones, stick some $1.50 USB-C cable that came with some random gadget into their iPhone and it doesn’t like it.

I fully expect Apple to do everything in their power to make sure you are using their USB-C cables, and only their USB-C cables.


BACKWARDS COMPATIBILITY WITH LIGHTNING PRODUCTS

I’ve already seen people predicting that Apple will ship a Lightning (male) to USB-C (female) adapter in the box of the iPhone 15.

THEY ABSOLUTELY WILL NOT!

They’ll be more than happy to sell you one for $10-20, but include one?

They didn’t do it when 30 pin became Lightning, they didn’t do it when the MacBooks switched from MagSafe 2 to USB-C, they didn’t do it with any of the iPads, they absolutely will not do it with the iPhone.

I wouldn’t even be surprised if by 2025 they just… don’t ship a cable at all.

The new Apple Siri Remote has USB-C, and guess what?

It does not come with a cable.


Other than all that, yeah it’s going to be a lot of fun. Can’t wait for the next three+ years of confusion.


Disclaimer

Although I disagree with governments getting involved in things like this, I do think Apple switching to USB-C on all of their devices is the right thing to do and will benefit everyone in the long run. I’ve just seen people runaway with theories about how great it will be, and wanted to give my perspective as a skeptic.

I just assume they are going to stop including any cables.

 

[MisterSavage]

Not too fussed about fast charging and fast data transfer. USB-C 2.0 on iPhone suites me fine as long as I can plug in the same USB-C headphones that I use on iPad and desktop.

This right here. It is a PITA traveling with an iPad that is USB-C and a iPhone that is lightning. It would be nice if I could charge them both the same way.

 

[Bento.Box]

Ever heard of Airdrop? Works flawlessly, even for large files.

Doesn't work with itunes.

Also airdrop only works if both devices are from apple AND have a wifi adapter installed. It's not enough for the devices to just be on the same network and able to communicate with each other.

Plus, wifi is really slow compared to standard wired connections, but that goes without saying.

 

[MauiPa]

did it even occur to you that the iPad using a mobile chip (A15) and not the Mac chip M2, is the reason for slower transfer speeds? In other words, not the port, but the interface?

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

did it even occur to you that the iPad using a mobile chip (A15) and not the Mac chip M2, is the reason for slower transfer speeds? In other words, not the port, but the interface?

No, because the iPad Air 4 has the same processor as the new iPad (A14)and it had faster USB-C speeds.
Same with the iPad mini, it has the A15 and a faster port than the new iPad.
Definitely nothing to do with the processor.

 

[Bustycat]

Seems Lightning with USB 3 is not very reliable…

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/damaged-lightning-port-on-12-9inch-ipad-pro-anyone-with-any-experience-of-this.2029598/

 

[AF_APPLETALK]

People simply want to feel loved by Apple, and that they are getting the best product possible, which is not unreasonable given their excellent track record on doing this in the past. Meanwhile the messaging around this is “it’s good enough and you’ll get what you get and like it.”

 

[boss.king]

The difference this will make his every existing user will have to buy all new cables and throw the existing ones in the landfill.

Or, you know, recycle them? Also, it's not like lightning ports on existing devices will just stop working the day an iPhone with a modern port is released. The idea that as soon as the port changes everyone is going to rush out and throw their existing devices and cables in the trash is frankly one of the dumber things I see repeated on this site.

 

[mpavilion]

Or, you know, recycle them? Also, it's not like lightning ports on existing devices will just stop working the day an iPhone with a modern port is released. The idea that as soon as the port changes everyone is going to rush out and throw their existing devices and cables in the trash is frankly one of the dumber things I see repeated on this site.

Well, a disproportionate no. of posters here seem to buy every new iPhone the day it’s released…

 

[boss.king]

Well, a disproportionate no. of posters here seem to buy every new iPhone the day it’s released…

Do they also smash their old phone with a brick and toss it in the trash?

 

[mpavilion]

Do they also smash their old phone with a brick and toss it in the trash?

Sounds like they trade them in or sell them. I hope they recycle their old lightning cables!

 

[ThomasJL]

The most frustrating thing I’ve come across on MR over the years is this “who cares, no average person needs this” argument.

Amen!

So many people on MacRumors used that awful argument to justify Apple getting rid of the headphone jack on iPhones and iPads. If that was really the right move, then why did Apple upgrade the headphone jack to allow use of high-impedance headphones on the 2021 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros, the 2022 13-inch MacBook Pro, the 2022 Mac Studio, and the 2022 MacBook Air?

 

[cupcakes2000]

You’ve clearly never worked with big media files and deadlines, and the highly inconsistent nature of transferring hundreds of GBs of files wirelessly.

And I don’t get this “either or” argument that all of you defending Apple always propose -Why can we not have both, great WiFi options for those that don’t need the speed and reliability of wires and high speed wired transfer for those that need it?

Why can we not have both?

Yes, the one option “wireless is good enough for all” fits for mid tier and SE iPhones.

But for iPhones Pro, with their hefty camera array and ProRes capabilities? The same options as mid tier and low end?

As soon as someone says the words ‘defending apple’ it nullifies the argument. Why? Because it’s a trope. Just becuase someone agrees with someone’s stance on a subject doesn’t automatically mean they’re defending anything. It says a lot more about you by using the phrase. It says you’re a person that no matter what happens, apple bad.

 

[ThomasJL]

"Who cares about the cable?" --and-- "no one cares about the transfer speed".

Yet:

https://www.macrumors.com/2022/09/16/iphone-14-pro-lightning-usb-2-speeds/

https://www.dtgre.com/2022/09/why-iphone-14-pro-usb-transfer-speed.html#:~:text=In fact, the iPhone 14,4K videos using the cable.

https://wccftech.com/iphone-14-pro-...b-2-0-speeds-despite-an-upgraded-48mp-camera/

https://www.notebookcheck.net/Super...-port-running-at-USB-2-0-speeds.653141.0.html

https://mobilesyrup.com/2022/09/19/iphone-14-pros-lightning-usb-2-0-48mp-proraw-support/

https://appuals.com/usb-2-0-speeds-iphone-14-pro/

And:

Will iPhone 14 be USB 2.0? Probably, since Cook is mediocre.

Apple computers have had USB 3.0 since mid-2012. That is 10 years ago. Despite that, Tim Cook, being the mediocre beancounter MBA suit that he is, has still not done anything to upgrade the connectivity on the latest iPhones. The latest iPhones use the same USB 2.0 connectivity that shipped with...

forums.macrumors.com

 

[ThomasJL]

Tim Cook is a greedy jerk who prioritizes shareholders over customers. Including a USB-C port limited to USB 2.0 speeds helps Apple to maximize profits by not including components that support Thunderbolt speeds, nor even measly USB 3.0 speeds.

 

[unchecked]

USB-C can be great. But it is also at the mercy of the device maker to how to cripple it and not make it great.

So it’s not so much the “ugly side of USB-C”, but the OP kinda exposes the ugly side of Apple.

 

[code-m]

Do they also smash their old phone with a brick and toss it in the trash?

The forum member on MR defending Apple and its prolonged usage of the Lightening connector is beyond ridiculous.

Some people are claiming their don’t need it as their use Qi or MagSafe, that is great for them as nk one is forcing them to use USB-C or lightening to charge, actually MagSafe has USB-C on the power adaptor end so I am not sure what is the point of bringing up some portless phone rumour as a physical port offers the opportunity for diagnostics and other repair and troubleshooting issue. Unless MagSafe gains some data pass through and considering nothing is problematic with WiFi or Bluetooth to make is reliable enough.

Some people require higher data and as a benefit higher PD rate as well. Don’t need it then stick with iCloud or AirDrop or whatever cloud storage you prefer. Just because you don’t see a requirement for it does not mean others don’t. It might even more accessories opportunities but these naysayers are stuck in they ways. Oddly enough some of these also support the removal of the 3.5mm audio port.

This green washing BS is just that marketing. People believe that the moment a USB-C iPhone is released all iPhone users will upgrade, some fantasy. Had Apple transitioned to USB-C a long time ago it would have not created the e-waste issue it claims it’s concerned about to adopt a standard modern port.

Apple provided an 18W USB-C power adapter with the iPhone 11 Pro only to drop it with the introduction of the 12. At that same time iPhone 11 had a USB-A cable, very disconnected transition tbh.

If the environment was such an issue to Apple it would have introduced iPad 10 with Pencil 2 vice this patch job solution.

People claiming that Lightening port or cables are more reliable than USB-C are living under a rock and forget that if the power connector pin on Lightening turns black the cable becomes unreliable. No cable or connector is perfect but had Apple deemed Lightening to be advanced we would not be stuck on slow data rate and recharge rates.

I suspect iPad 10 USB2 data limit is a software based one to push people to purchased an iPad Air or Pro.

What as soon as USB-C is released on an iPhone the naysayers will either crawl back under the rock from surfaced or will do some about face and claim oh well Apple had no choice and how much they miss Lightening. 🙄

 

[davedvdy]

As soon as someone says the words ‘defending apple’ it nullifies the argument. Why? Because it’s a trope. Just becuase someone agrees with someone’s stance on a subject doesn’t automatically mean they’re defending anything. It says a lot more about you by using the phrase. It says you’re a person that no matter what happens, apple bad.

What you're claiming would be true if there weren't any arguments behind their claims (but there are). Even if any person happens to disagree with the logic behind them or the claim altogether.

A cheap shot should be dismissed, but that isn't what is happening.

You come into this thread to stand against that, but yet not the claim such as: "I don't need this feature therefore shouldn't they kill it altogether?". The apologist claims are the vast majority, so that really is a two way street.

 

[PauloSera]

I didn't read it all, I just assume the TL;DR is that you think iPhone 15's USB-C port will be USB 2.0.

All I can say is, there is nothing to indicate that this is overwhelmingly likely. I'd say it is an even 50/50 chance.

1. While people tend to carry this misnomer that Apple follows patterns, and they really do the exact opposite. Apple does whatever makes sense for a specific product and specific use case. They don't do x on A product just because they did x on B product, so that "they're the same". On the occasions when this does work out, it isn't because of the other product. It is because it is what makes sense.

2. iPhone 15's USB-C presents an entirely new opportunity for Apple to do something with I/O. Will they simply change the port keep the USB spec at 2.0? Perhaps.

Their reason for doing this would be A) they don't believe the use case for high-speed data transfers really exists, on a level worth addressing, and B) because they'd rather push the world to adopt wireless solutions (and invent new ones if needed), so that we don't remain hung up on wired data transfer indefinitely for local, large files.

Or, they may go for USB3 or USB4 with the USB-C connector because they believe local, large file transfer is still a big thing and will be for the foreseeable future, and want to accommodate it. I'm pretty certain they don't believe this (I really don't either), but I still think this has an equal chance of happening, mostly because Apple would have to go out of their way to avoid a newer spec, and that would garner negative attention.

 

[Atomic1977]

The iPad 9 is the best iPad it’s the last one to have a headphone jack and the home button and a lightNing port. USB C is going to make everyone go crazy.