The upcoming iPhone 15 is expected to feature a USB-C port instead of the Lightning connector, which could enable faster charging and data transfer speeds.
What is USB-C and why is it better?
USB-C is a type of connector that can support various protocols, such as USB 3.1, USB 4, Thunderbolt 3, and Thunderbolt 4. It is reversible, meaning it can be plugged in either way, and it is compatible with many devices, such as laptops, tablets, cameras, and headphones.
One of the main advantages of USB-C is that it can deliver more power than Lightning, which means it can charge devices faster. According to a recent report by T3, the iPhone 15 could support charging speeds of up to 35W with USB-C, compared to the current maximum of 27W for the iPhone 14 Pro models and 20W for the non-Pro models. This could significantly reduce the time it takes to fully charge the iPhone battery.
Another benefit of USB-C is that it can transfer data faster than Lightning, which means it can sync files and media more quickly. The same report by T3 claims that some models of the iPhone 15 could support Thunderbolt speeds of up to 40Gbps with USB-C, which is much faster than the current limit of 480Mbps for Lightning. This could enable faster backups, transfers, and streaming from the iPhone.
Which models of the iPhone 15 will have USB-C?
It is not clear yet whether all models of the iPhone 15 will have USB-C or only some of them. Some leaked images of the iPhone 15’s internals suggest that three models could feature a retimer chip behind the USB-C port, which is necessary for supporting Thunderbolt protocols. These models could be the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, which are expected to have more advanced features than the base models.
However, some analysts have predicted that Apple will eventually switch all its devices to USB-C, as it has already done with the iPad Pro and iPad Air. This would make sense from a compatibility and convenience perspective, as users would not need to carry different cables and adapters for their devices. It would also align with the EU’s mandate for a common charging standard for smartphones.
What are the other expected features of the iPhone 15?
The iPhone 15 is rumored to have several other improvements over the previous generation, such as:
- A new 3nm processor, which could offer better performance and efficiency
- A periscope zoom lens, which could enhance the optical zoom capabilities of the camera
- A 48MP main camera sensor, which could improve the image quality and enable ProRAW capture
- A smaller notch, which could increase the screen-to-body ratio and aesthetics
- A 120Hz refresh rate display, which could make the animations smoother and more responsive
- A larger battery capacity, which could extend the battery life and endurance
The iPhone 15 is expected to be unveiled in September 2023, along with other products such as the AirPods Pro 2 and the Apple Watch Series 8.
