The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro are the first iPhones to ditch the Lightning port and adopt the USB-C standard. This is a major change that brings many benefits and possibilities for connecting accessories and peripherals. In this article, we will explore some of the most exciting features and functions that the iPhone 15’s USB-C port enables.
One of the most obvious advantages of USB-C is that you can use the same cable and charger to power up your iPhone, iPad, Mac, AirPods Pro, and Apple Watch. You no longer need to carry multiple cables and adapters for different devices. You can also use any USB-C charger or accessory on the market, as USB-C is not proprietary like Lightning. To charge your iPhone at full speed, you want to use a 20-watt or 30-watt power adapter, but you can also use a higher wattage power adapter like the one that comes with your MacBook.
The iPhone 15 can also charge other devices using its USB-C port, such as your AirPods, Apple Watch, or even another iPhone. The iPhone 15 can accept up to 27 watts through the USB-C port, but itself can also output about 4.5 watts. This means you can use your iPhone as a power bank in a pinch, or just share some juice with your friends.
External display support with USB-C
Another cool feature of the USB-C port is that you can connect your iPhone to external displays using the same connector. This allows you to watch videos, see photos, and more on a larger screen. You can also use apps that support external display output, such as Keynote, iMovie, or GarageBand.
The USB-C port on every iPhone 15 model uses the DisplayPort protocol to support USB-C displays. To connect your iPhone to a high-resolution display, you need to use a USB-C cable that supports USB 3.1 or higher. The cable included with all iPhone 15 models only supports USB 2, but you can buy a USB 3.1 cable separately. With a compatible cable, every iPhone 15 supports connections to USB-C at up to 4K resolution with 60Hz refresh rates.
The iPhone 15 also supports HDR displays connected via USB-C. You can switch between SDR and HDR modes by going to Settings > Display & Brightness and selecting your connected display. iPhone matches the frame rate and dynamic range of currently playing content when you turn on Allow Display Mode Changes.
With a USB-C to HDMI adapter or cable, you can connect your iPhone to an HDMI display or TV with support for 4K resolution and 60Hz. You can also use Apple’s USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter, which allows you to output video from your iPhone at up to 4K resolution and 60Hz, including content in HDR10 or Dolby Vision if your display or TV supports HDR.
USB-3 speeds on the iPhone 15 Pro
The iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max go one step further, as the USB-C port on the pro models supports USB-3 speeds, enabling up to 10 Gbps data transfer speeds. This means you can transfer files and data between your iPhone and other devices much faster than before. You can also connect high-performance peripherals, such as external SSDs, cameras, or audio interfaces.
USB-3 speeds on the iPhone 15 Pro also enable faster backup and restore. You can use iTunes or Finder on your Mac to backup and restore your iPhone in minutes, instead of hours. You can also use third-party apps that support USB-3, such as iMazing, to manage your iPhone data and files.
More accessories and peripherals with USB-C
USB-C is a versatile and universal connector that can carry power, data, and video with the same cable. This means you can connect a variety of accessories and peripherals to your iPhone, such as:
- CarPlay stereo: You can use a USB-C cable to connect your iPhone to your CarPlay-compatible stereo and enjoy navigation, music, and calls on your car’s display.
- External storage devices: You can use a USB-C flash drive or hard drive to expand your iPhone’s storage capacity and access your files on the go. You can also use the Files app to browse and manage your external storage devices.
- Microphones: You can use a USB-C microphone to record high-quality audio on your iPhone, whether it’s for podcasting, music production, or voice memos. You can also use a USB-C audio interface to connect multiple microphones or instruments to your iPhone.
- External battery packs: You can use a USB-C battery pack to extend your iPhone’s battery life and charge it faster. You can also use a USB-C to USB-C cable to charge both your iPhone and your battery pack with the same charger.
- USB to Ethernet adapters: You can use a USB-C to Ethernet adapter to connect your iPhone to a wired network and enjoy faster and more reliable internet connection. This can be useful for streaming, gaming, or downloading large files.
- SD cards: You can use a USB-C to SD card adapter to transfer photos and videos from your camera or drone to your iPhone. You can also use the Photos app to import and edit your media on your iPhone.
The future of USB-C on iPhone
The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro are the first iPhones to feature USB-C, but they won’t be the last. USB-C is the future of connectivity, and Apple is likely to adopt it across all its devices in the coming years. USB-C is also compatible with USB-4 and Thunderbolt, which offer even higher data transfer speeds and more features. Apple has already implemented Thunderbolt on its latest Macs and iPads, and it may do the same for the iPhone in the future.
The iPhone 15’s USB-C port is a game-changer for connectivity, as it opens up a whole new world of convenience, performance, and versatility. You can now use the same cable and charger for all your devices, connect your iPhone to external displays and high-speed peripherals, and enjoy faster data transfer and backup. USB-C is also a universal standard that works with many accessories and devices on the market, giving you more options and flexibility.
