iPhone 15: Say Hello to USB-C, But There’s a Catch

The latest iPhone 15 series has just been released, and along with it comes the next-gen Watch and Watch Ultra. We've covered the Apple Event 2023 in detail, providing you with key insights. One of the most exciting updates is the addition of USB-C or USB Type C to iPhones, promising faster data transfer and charging speeds. However, there's a catch.

Which USB-C on Which iPhone Models

Apple has introduced four iPhone models: iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, and 15 Pro Max. The good news is that they all come with USB-C or Type-C ports. The bad news is that while the Pro models get USB-C 3.0 ports, the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus only get USB-C 2.0 ports. So, what's the difference and how does it affect you as a user? Let us explain.

USB-C 2.0 vs 3.0

USB-C, or Type C, has become the standard across different brands and sectors for its obvious benefits. However, there are different versions available. In the case of the iPhone 15 series, both USB-C 2.0 and 3.0 versions are featured. Here's how they differ:

  • USB 2.0 offers 480 Mbps or 60 MB/s.
  • USB 3.0 offers 5 Gbps or 640 MB/s.

In addition to these two, there are also USB 3.1 and 3.1 Gen 2 versions:

  • USB 3.1 Gen 1 offers 5 Gbps or 640 MB/s.
  • USB 3.1 Gen 2 offers 10 Gbps or 1.25 GB/s.

It's important to note that iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus come with USB-C 2.0, while iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max come with USB 3.1 Gen 2. Another major difference is that the 3.0/3.1 versions are backward compatible. So, if you have a pen drive or cable that supports USB 2.0 and use it with iPhone 15 Pro models, they will still work.

How to Unlock 10 Gbps Speeds on Pro Models

Apple has made the decision to ship all iPhone 15 models with a USB-C 2.0 cable in the box, which means transfer speeds will be limited. Even on the Pro models, which are capable of transferring files at up to 10 Gbps, you won't get more than 640 Mbps. To unlock high-speed data transfers, you will need to buy or use an existing USB-C 3.0 cable. Yes, this means an additional cost to you, but it's necessary to achieve the desired speeds.

iPhone With USB-C

To summarize, the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus come with USB-C 2.0, offering data transfer speeds of up to 480 Mbps. There's no need to upgrade the cable that comes in the box. On the other hand, the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max come with USB-C 3.1 Gen 2, but the box still includes the 2.0 cable. So, you will need to purchase new cables if you want to take advantage of the faster speeds.

Looking for some cool cases for your new iPhone 15? We have a curated list just for you.

Note: Thanks to USB-C charging, you will also be able to reverse charge your AirPods Pro Gen 2 using a USB-C cable.