iPhone with USB-C: Everything We Know for Now
When will Apple have USB-C-port iPhone? It remains one of the biggest mysteries for Apple enthusiasts in the 21st century. USB-C made its debut in 2014 and quickly gained popularity, becoming a standard connector for mobile phones, computers, and even automobiles. With its improved compatibility and performance, it has become the preferred choice for Android devices.
Meanwhile, the Lightning cable used by iPhones is often the subject of criticism regarding the device's limitations. However, in October 2022, Apple faced an ultimatum from the EU: starting in autumn 2024, all electronic devices sold in the EU, including smartphones, tablets, cameras, and wireless headsets, must adopt the USB-C port.
So, will iPhone 15 have a USB-C port? What’s the EU mandate and why is it important for iPhone? And what are the benefits of USB-C for iPhone users? This article aims to provide answers to these pressing questions.
EU's New Rules That Make USB-C Mandatory
Since a few years ago, the EU has issued a mandate that all electronic devices such as mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras, and earphones sold in Europe by all manufacturers, including Apple, will need to support a common charging standard, known as USB-C (USB Type-C), and finally gave final approval to the common charger law in 2022.
EU lawmakers believe that these rules will reduce waste because consumers do not need to purchase a new charger every time they purchase a brand-new electronic device, which can also lead to a reduction in the production and processing of new chargers.
Apple once responded to this by saying that billions of Apple products have been already equipped with Lightning cables. Once the port is changed, it will cause greater waste, which is not in line with the EU's original environmental intentions and does not fit Apple's innovation vibe. But Apple eventually complies with EU law, with a rumor saying that Apple will publish iPhone 15 with a USB-C charging port in 2023.
As for users, the unified charging port of Apple and Android is absolutely good news. If fast charging is not considered, only one data cable can solve all the charging problems of all devices.
Will iPhone 15 Have USB-C?
Every year before the Apple conference, people will discuss whether the latest iPhone will start to use the USB-C cable instead of Apple's proprietary Lightning charger. Although there were rumors that the latest iPhone will use USB-C, people were disappointed every year.
People still anticipate the iPhone 15 makes the swap to USB-C in 2023. Previously, Apple analysts had stated that Apple had started testing an iPhone prototype with a USB-C charger instead of a lighting cable. Some analysts also said that the iPhone scheduled to be released in 2023 is possible to adopt a USB-C charging port, and Apple is likely to introduce the standard globally, not just in the EU.
However, there is also a rumor saying that although Apple has decided to swap over to USB-C on the iPhone 15 series, it also has developed a USB-C like port with an encryption authentication system for the Lightning-interface IC, which will be used in the new iPhone and MFi-certified (Made for iPhone) products. This means that the USB-C cables on the market may still not be available on the iPhone 15 series models. Users who want to get full power charging speed will still need to purchase data cables from Apple's official stores or MFi-certified accessory manufacturers.
Until the iPhone 15 is officially released, we can't answer for sure that iPhone definitely uses USB-C connectors this year. However, based on the current statements made by Apple, it is certain that future iPhones will have USB-C. It is still uncertain whether it starts with iPhone 15. Moreover, the deadline for the EU mandate is at the end of 2024, and it is also possible that iPhone with USB-C will start with the iPhone 16 series. Next, let's wait for the arrival of the 2023 Apple press conference and uncover this mystery.
iPhone 15 with USB-C: What Are the Benefits?
For most iPhone users, the switch to USB-C could result in more benefits and conveniences:
- Faster Charging. The top charging speed of iPhones currently is 20W, while the USB Power Delivery can reach up to 240W. The USB-C switch is certainly a huge upgrade for Apple's products and a huge boost for its competitiveness.
- Higher Compatibility. Apple's proprietary Lightning cable is only available for MFi devices, while USB-C is widely used on all kinds of devices on the market, from smartphones to car accessories. USB-C also offers the possibility of better support for accessories, such as external storage, video connections, keyboards and mice, and more, making iPhone users more flexibility in using their phones.
- Faster Data Transfer.Lightning cables reach up at 480 Mbps speed limited to USB 2.0, while USB-C maxes out at 40 Gbps speed, roughly 83 times faster. A 30-minute ProRes footage taking up about 6 GB of memory, will take 50 minutes to transfer to a Mac or PC using USB 2.0 speed, but USB 3.0 takes only 5 mins. USB-C with 10Gbps can even shorten the transfer process by around 2 minutes.
- Low Cost.Lightning cables and chargers are proprietary to Apple. If you are using iPhone, iPad, or other Apple products, you can only purchase cables and connectors from Apple-authorized stores. However, USB-C is an open standard, and third-party manufacturers can also produce and sell it. This means that consumers have more choices and can choose USB-C at a lower price than Lightning cables.
- Environmental Friendly.According to the latest data from the EU, the unified charging interface can save 250 million euros cost by consumers in charger purchases every year, while reducing about 11,000 tons of electronic waste. Using fewer chargers for different devices could reduce environmental waste.
How to Choose a USB-C Cable for a Type-C iPhone
Assuming that all of Apple's future products will be switched to USB-C, new issues arise for users who have been using Apple's ecosystem products. What are the best USB-C cables and adapters? How to choose a good USB-C charging cable for a Type-C iPhone? If you are also facing these problems, then the following factors are what you need to pay attention to before choosing a suitable USB-C charging cable for your iPhone in the future.
- Data Transfer Rate.Currently, USB-C cables sold on the market offer various data transfer speeds from high to low as follows: Thunderbolt 3 (40Gbps) > Thunderbolt 3 (20Gbps) > USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps) > USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps) > USB 2.0 (480Mbps).
- Peak Power.USB-C charger powers up your device as fast as the cable allows. It's important to consider the current rating of the cable (3A or 5A) before purchasing as it directly impacts the charging speed - higher peak power results in shorter charging time.
- You need to determine whether this USB-C cable is capable of charging USB-C laptops/phones/tablets and can be used to display videos, etc., to meet your various needs.
In addition to the factors mentioned above, there are many other aspects that need attention, such as durability, brand, length, etc. Make your decision based on your actual needs. If we need a reliable recommendation, then our choice is Anker 765 USB-C to USB-C Cable, a USB-C data cable that can meet the needs of most users.
Anker 765 USB-C to USB-C Cable is a great option if you need a universal compatible USB-C cable that can transfer data quickly as well as charge phones, tablets, laptops, and other USB-C devices that require up to 140W of power. Plus, superior durability makes it pass 35,000 rigorous bending tests, proving it is one of the most durable cables on the market.
Conclusion
The possible iPhone with USB-C brings a herald of the end of the Lightning cable era. This change signifies a continuous improvement in the smartphone's user experience. However, it remains unclear whether the adoption of USB-C will have any impact on Apple's ecosystem. Only time will tell.
FAQ
Does Apple Have USB-C iPhone?
No. Currently, all iPhones are adopting Lightning cable ports as the previous models. But unlike previous cable connectors, the latest Apple products come with a USB-C to Lightning charging cable for faster charging.
Which Apple Products Already Use USB-C?
iPad model that has a USB-C port:
- iPad Pro 11-inch (1st generation or later)
- iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation or later)
- iPad Air (4th generation or later)
- iPad mini (6th generation)
Mac that has a USB-C port:
- MacBook Pro (2016 or later)
- MacBook Air (2018 or later)
- MacBook (2015-2017)
- Mac Mini (2018 or later)
- iMac (2017 or later)
- Mac Mac Pro (2019 or later)
- Mac Studio (2022 or later)
Will There Be an MFi USB-C Cable in the Future?
It is said that Apple decided to comply with EU laws and plans to convert its entire product line from Lightning to USB-C, but it will also design an MFi-authorized USB-C, which looks like a USB-C port, but is not compatible with other brands of USB-C cables to avoid intervening in the Apple ecosystem. However, iPads that have previously adopted the USB-C do not have such limitations. Plus, the EU has strict regulations on charging cables. So, the answer cannot be determined.
How About the Portless iPhone?
The smartphone industry, including Apple, is developing wireless charging technology to achieve cross-platform compatibility. But such a future is not yet ready to come.
Although the EU mandate only requires USB-C for wired charging, allowing Apple to release a phone that charges wirelessly without breaking the EU's laws, they have not done so. Also, there have been no rumors that a portless iPhone will be released anytime soon. It seems that the iPhone with USB-C is more possible to come for the foreseeable future.
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