iPhone 15 Models With USB Type-C Ports Might Require MFi Cables for Full Functionality

Apple could replace Lightning charging port with a USB Type-C port on all iPhone 15 models.

Written by Nithya P Nair, Edited by Richa Sharma | Updated: 1 March 2023 19:54 IST

iPhone 15 Models With USB Type-C Ports Might Require MFi Cables for Full Functionality

Photo Credit: Pixabay/ Denvit

Non-certified cables and power adapters could face charging and data transfer limits

Highlights

iPhone 15 is expected to launch later this year
Next generation iPhone models could come with USB Type-C ports
Most Android smartphones currently have USB Type-C ports

Apple is expected to pack a USB Type-C port on its future iPhone 15 units to comply with a European Union law. The company could scrap the Lightning port for charging and data transfer on the rumoured iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max models. A reliable tipster suggests that the Cupertino giant will still set some standards for charging and restrict functions of other third-party accessories not approved by Apple. Cables and power adapters not certified by Apple's MFi (Made for iPhone) programme could face charging and data transfer limits.

Tipster ShrimpApplePro (@VNchocoTaco) tweeted that upcoming iPhone models will only support USB Type-C accessories that have been certified by Apple's Made for iPhone (MFi) programme. He claimed that Apple could limit the charging speed and functionality of the unsupported cables. According to the tipster, iPhone assembler Foxconn has already started mass production of accessories like EarPods and cables.

Apple earlier confirmed that it will comply with a European Union law mandating a single charging port for mobile phones and electronic devices to increase interoperability and reduce environmental waste caused by the disposal of chargers and switch the iPhone to a USB Type-C charger. The upcoming iPhone 15 lineup could be the first to ship with USB Type-C ports. Most Android smartphones currently offer USB Type-C standards.

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In November last year, Apple Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo opined that the Pro models of the iPhone 15 series could offer improved wired data transfer speed. The iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max/ iPhone 15 Ultra may get at least USB-C 3.2 and Thunderbolt 3 speed, while the vanilla iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus would feature USB 2.0 technology and retain the 480Mbps transfer speeds offered by current Lightning ports.

Apple already switched its entire MacBook lineup and a few iPad models among others over to the USB Type-C technology. As of yet, Apple has not announced any details regarding the adoption of USB Type-C ports on iPhone 15 models. So, these details should be considered with a pinch of salt.

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Apple launched the iPad Pro (2022) and the iPad (2022) alongside the new Apple TV this week. We discuss the company's latest products, along with our review of the iPhone 14 Pro on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.

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iPhone 15

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
Big upgrades over the 14
Excellent ergonomics, build quality
Very good all-round performance
Apple ecosystem benefits

Bad
Relatively slow charging
Expensive
Still a 60Hz display

Read detailed Apple iPhone 15 review

Display 6.10-inch

Processor Apple A16 Bionic

Front Camera 12-megapixel

Rear Camera 48-megapixel + 12-megapixel

RAM 6GB

Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB

OS iOS 17

Resolution 1179x2556 pixels

More Apple mobiles Apple mobiles price in India

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
Excellent display
USB Type-C
AAA gaming
Excellent all-round performance
Good primary and telephoto camera
Customisable Action Button

Bad
Gets hot quickly when stressed
Slow wired charging
Expensive

Read detailed Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max review

Display 6.70-inch

Processor Apple A17 Pro

Front Camera 12-megapixel

Rear Camera 48-megapixel + 12-megapixel + 12-megapixel

RAM 8GB

Storage 256GB, 512GB, 1TB

OS iOS 17

Resolution 1290x2796 pixels

More Apple mobiles Apple mobiles price in India

Apple iPhone 15 Pro

KEY SPECS
NEWS

Display 6.10-inch

Processor Apple A17 Pro

Front Camera 12-megapixel

Rear Camera 48-megapixel + 12-megapixel + 12-megapixel

RAM 8GB

Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB

OS iOS 17

Resolution 1179x2556 pixels

More Apple mobiles Apple mobiles price in India

Apple iPhone 15 Plus

KEY SPECS
NEWS

Display 6.70-inch

Processor Apple A16 Bionic

Front Camera 12-megapixel

Rear Camera 48-megapixel + 12-megapixel

RAM 8GB

Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB

OS iOS 17

Resolution 1290x2796 pixels

More Apple mobiles Apple mobiles price in India

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Further reading: Apple, iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, USB Type C Port, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Ultra, Made for iPhone, MFI

Nithya P Nair

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Nithya P Nair is a journalist with more than five years of experience in digital journalism. She specialises in business and technology beats. A foodie at heart, Nithya loves exploring new places (read cuisines) and sneaking in Malayalam movie dialogues to spice up conversations. More