iPhone 15: USB-C 3.2 would be reserved for Pro versions

After years of stubbornness, Apple will finally change the connectors of its smartphones. Even if it is not yet official, the iPhone 15 would have a USB-C port for the first time, instead of the Lightning that fitted the previous versions.

Aware that its strategy of separation between the standard and Pro versions is very effective, the Cupertino company intends to continue to offer very distinct models within its range. And it could use this new USB Type-C port to further differentiate its next mobiles.

In any case, this is what the famous analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, often well informed about the Apple, believes. On his Twitter account, he first confirms the abandonment of the Lightning port for the year 2023, which is frankly not a surprise given the efforts made by the European Commission to force him to do so.

On the other hand, he believes that all next-generation smartphones will not be entitled to the same connectivity. He specifies that only the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max would be entitled to USB-C 3.2. They could even be compatible with the Thunderbolt 3 standard, and thus get a little closer to Macs.

It is recalled that this standard makes it possible to reach a maximum speed of 40 Gb/s, which allows ultra-fast transfers. Ideal for videographers, for example.

A standard model lagging behind?

The iPhone 15 and 15 Plus would be satisfied with USB-C 2.0 ports, whose speeds are much slower. A disconcerting choice, given that the theoretical speeds of USB-C 2.0 (480 Mb / s) are similar to those offered by the Lightning. Apart from compliance with the European Union, the advantage will remain quite limited in purely technical terms.

This is what the brand has already done with its latest iPad 10, whose new USB-C connection does not really do better than the Lightning. It is certainly possible to use external monitors, but they cannot exceed 30 Hz in 4K or 60 Hz in Full HD. Apple’s other slates have also gone through USB-C, but benefit from better speeds.

If this decision may seem relevant from a range strategy point of view, it risks losing interest in standard iPhone models. The example of the iPhone 14, which looks a lot like its predecessor and causes much less enthusiasm than its big cousins, goes in this direction.