iPhone USB Type-C Port Functionality Could be Limited by Apple: Report

iPhone Pro models have previously been tipped to offer high-speed USB Type-C connectivity.

Written by Sucharita Ganguly, Edited by David Delima | Updated: 13 February 2023 11:59 IST

iPhone USB Type-C Port Functionality Could be Limited by Apple: Report

Photo Credit: Apple

The iPhone 14 series (pictured) which featured Lightning ports was launched last year

Highlights

Apple reportedly plans to use a custom IC chip
The firm could set certain limitations for specific models
Apple imposes similar restrictions with its Lightning port

Countries around the world, including India, have been considering adopting USB Type-C as the uniform charging port for all electronic devices. The European Union has already introduced rules to make USB Type-C connectors, widely used by Android-based handsets, the standard for mobile phones, tablets and cameras and implement it by 2024. Apple said last year that it will comply with the EU law. A new report now suggests that the Cupertino company may introduce limitations similar to its Lightning port for the USB Type-C ports in its upcoming smartphones.

According to a MacRumours report citing a tipster on Weibo, Apple intends to use a custom integrated circuit (IC) interface for the upcoming USB Type-C port, allowing it to authenticate the components involved in the connection. Since their incorporation in 2012, first-party and MFi-certified Lightning ports and connectors have included a small integrated circuit that verifies the authenticity of the elements present in the connection. It is similar to the restrictions imposed by the company on its Lightning port.

The verification system built into the Lightning interface is what generates alerts that warn users with the message "This accessory is not supported" when plugging in a device that isn't made by Apple and isn't part of its "Made for iPhone" (MFi) licencing programme.

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It is worth noting that none of Apple's existing USB Type-C electronic devices, iPad 10th generation, iPad mini, iPad Air, and iPad Pro include any restrictions on the functionality of the USB Type-C port, and since the claim of the purported limitation has been made by a tipster, it is advisable to take it with a pinch of salt.

It is unclear whether this change will have a significant impact on the functionality of the upcoming Apple devices, but it is possible that the company will restrict fast charging and high-speed data transfer to Apple and MFi-certified cables, as per the report.

TF Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo previously suggested that the iPhone 15 series will forego the Lightning port in favour of USB Type-C, which could significantly enhance data transfer speeds. However, high-speed USB Type-C wired connectivity could be available only on the high-end iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and iPhone 15 Ultra.

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The iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max/Ultra are expected to have "at least USB 3.2 or Thunderbolt 3" connectivity. USB 3.2 technology can transfer data at up to 20Gbps, whereas Thunderbolt 3 can reach up to 40Gbps. According to the analyst, it may boost demand for high-speed transfer chips. Notably, the majority of Android handsets currently feature the older USB 2.0 technology.

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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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Apple iPad (2022) Wi-Fi + Cellular

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
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Large Display
Smooth performance
Feature-rich software
Excellent front camera
Good battery life
20W charger in the box

Bad
No support for Apple Pencil (2nd gen)
Slow data transfer speeds
Display could have been brighter for outdoor use
Pricing on the higher side

Read detailed Apple iPad (2022) Wi-Fi + Cellular review

Display 10.90-inch

Front Camera 12-megapixel

Resolution 2360x1640 pixels

OS iPadOS 16

Storage 64GB

Rear Camera 12-megapixel

More Apple Tablets

Apple iPad mini (2021) Wi-Fi + Cellular

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

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Bad
No 3.5mm audio socket
Top-end variants are expensive
Apple’s ecosystem is too restrictive for some

Read detailed Apple iPad mini (2021) Wi-Fi + Cellular review

Display 8.30-inch

Front Camera 12-megapixel

Resolution 2266x1488 pixels

OS iPadOS 15

Storage 64GB

Rear Camera 12-megapixel

More Apple Tablets

Apple iPad Air (2022) Wi-Fi + Cellular

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
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Polished software
Good battery life

Bad
Gets warm under load
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Read detailed Apple iPad Air (2022) Wi-Fi + Cellular review

Display 10.90-inch

Processor Apple M1

Front Camera 12-megapixel

Resolution 2360x1640 pixels

RAM 8GB

OS iPadOS 15

Storage 64GB

Rear Camera 12-megapixel

More Apple Tablets

Apple iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2021) Wi-Fi

KEY SPECS
NEWS

Display 12.90-inch

Processor Apple M1

Front Camera 12-megapixel

Resolution 2732x2048 pixels

RAM 8GB

OS iPadOS 14

Storage 128GB

Rear Camera 12-megapixel + 10-megapixel

More Apple Tablets

Apple iPhone 15

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
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Apple ecosystem benefits

Bad
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Display 6.10-inch

Processor Apple A16 Bionic

Front Camera 12-megapixel

Rear Camera 48-megapixel + 12-megapixel

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Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB

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Resolution 1179x2556 pixels

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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

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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
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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

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Further reading: iPhone, Apple, USB Type C

Sucharita Ganguly

Email Sucharita Ganguly

Sucharita is a writer with Gadgets 360 and is mostly found playing with her cat in her free time. She has previously worked at breaking news desks across organizations. Powered by coffee, The Beatles, Bowie, and her newfound love for BTS, she aims to work towards contributing to a better media environment for women and queer folk. More