One of the novelties of the recently announced iPhone 15 has been its new USB-C port. Pushed by the new times but, especially, by the European legislation that requires electronic devices to incorporate this connectivity standardUSB-C replaces the traditional lightning port. A type of connector exclusive to Apple that has been with us since way back in 2012 when it was included in the iPhone 5 to replace the 30-pin port, which was more voluminous and, in principle, slow. And as expected, much has been and will be said about What the iPhone 15 USB-C port entails for the present and future of Apple devices.
Although Apple has been able to sell it well, in practice, some criticisms have already been seen and read regarding the way to implement the USB-C standard on the iPhone 15. To start, there are differences in abilities of this port depending on the iPhone 15 model that you are going to purchase. The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus will have USB 2.0 speeds. That is to say, up to 480 Mb/s. Similar to the speed available on Lightning connectors. So to get better performance, you will have to purchase an iPhone 15 Pro or Pro Max, which incorporates the A17 Pro chip with USB 3 controller capable of transfers up to 10 Gb/s. And we will have to wait to see the rumored and desired support for Thunderbolt 4 in future releases.
For the average user, what does having USB-C on the iPhone 15 mean? The first advantage, promoted by the European Union, is that you can use any cable USB-C type to power your iPhone and/or to connect it to another charger or another device. With the addition that Apple was already offering support USB-C on your Macs. And, now also, on the iPhone 15, in the AirPods Pro 2 case and even in new EarPods, Apple’s wired headphones. But there is much more.
What do we know about the USB-C port of the iPhone 15
One way to find out everything the iPhone 15’s new USB-C port offers is to take a look at the official documentation. Precisely, Apple published a support page about the USB-C port and the iPhone 15 on September 15. Three days after the presentation of the new iPhone and coinciding with the day you could start reserving it. AND clarifies many things. Until now we knew that the iPhone 15 and 15 Pro charge in two hours with the 20 W USB-C charger. And that the iPhone 15 can charge at a maximum of 27 W. Let’s see what else there is.
First, the obvious: USB-C is a “universal standard” for “charging, data synchronization, and audio and video playback.” With this port, “it allows you charge and connect to a variety of devices.” And it lists Macs, iPads, and AirPods Pro 2nd generation, as well as external storage devices and displays. Later it mentions microphones, USB to Ethernet adapters, SD card adapters, CarPlay compatible vehicles, etc. And here we already see news. For example, connect an iPhone and iPad via cablesomething until now possible by combining cables and adapters.
The document goes on to say that you can connect the iPhone to those devices to transfer data, such as photos and videos. Briefly add that during connection, in addition to moving files you will charge the iPhone battery. And it reminds us that to obtain the maximum performance of the iPhone 15’s USB-C port, speeds of up to 10 Gb/s, we will need the Pro and Pro Max models. That and a USB 3 cable that supports those speeds. “He wire USB-C that comes with your iPhone Supports USB 2” charging and speeds. Hence many of the criticisms. We will have a USB-C port that will behave like a previous USB port or the old Lighting. Otherwise, you can charge your iPhone with the default charger or use the 20W charger for your Mac. Something that already happens today.
Charge other devices with your iPhone 15
But there is more. The support document on the iPhone 15 USB-C port explains that the iPhone 15 itself is used to charge other devices. At 4.5 W. A figure much higher than the 0.3 W offered by the Lightning connector. In this sense, mention charging your AirPods, Apple Watch and “other small devices.” That is, your iPhone 15 also serves as an external battery for your smaller devices. If they have USB-C, directly with the official cable. And if they have a Lightning port, through the USB-C to Lightning cable that you will have at home from previous iPhone models.
It must be taken into account that the iPhone 15 ranges from 3,349 mAh of the basic model to 4,422 mAh of the Pro Max model, passing through 4,383 mAh of the iPhone 15 Plus and 3,274 mAh of the Pro. Values higher than all previous models . Although these data are not official. Apple simply indicates the hours of playback or streaming of the devices. Be that as it may, from now on, the iPhone itself will be a good option for charge those small devices short of battery. Or as various media point out, connect an external drive directly to the iPhone without additional adapters or power outlets.
Finally, the USB-C charging possibilities of the iPhone 15 allow us to dream of a future in which we can charge an iPhone with another iPhone. Of course, at specific times and for gain a few minutes or hours of battery. Or, who knows, use the iPhone as an external battery for a Mac if we don’t have a source nearby. But for now, let’s limit ourselves to small devices and those promising 4.5W charging from iPhone.