The latest iPhone 15 leaks reveal that Apple will again increase prices and feature differences between the models. And now we know that even their connectivity won’t be the same.
Respected Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has revealed that Apple plans to switch all iPhone 15 models from Lighting to USB-C ports (ahead of EU enforcement) will come with one big caveat: “markedly” different performance.
Apple iPhone 15 Ultra render based on recent leaks
Kuo states that the standard iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus will remain limited to USB 2.0 speeds (the same as Lighting), but the high-end iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max (potentially rebranded ‘Ultra’) will support “at least USB 3.2 or Thunderbolt 3.”
“This spec upgrade means the wired transfer and video output user experience will significantly improve.” explains Kuo. “And the new trend will drive Apple ecosystem’s demand for high-speed transfer chips and competitors’ imitation (almost all Android phones currently only support USB 2.0), and it’s also conducive to the growth of the high-speed transfer IC design industry.”
For context, USB 2.0 maxes out at 480 megabits per second (60 megabytes per second), while USB 3.2 can operate at up to 20 gigabits per second (2,500 megabytes per second). That’s a speed increase of more than 40x.
iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus sales are underwhelming
On the one hand, this makes sense. Pro-model iPhones exclusively shoot in ProRAW, which results in file sizes up to 10x larger than a standard image. ProRAW tends to be used primarily by professional and aspiring photographers, so a faster USB-C port to export these shots could be justified as a Pro requirement.
On the other hand, it doesn’t make sense. That is because all modern iPhones shoot 4K video, which uses vastly more storage than ProRAW, and would benefit most from USB 3.2 speeds.
Moreover, taking a step back, it is a genuine shock to see how far Apple is prepared to go to drive a gap between its Pro and non-Pro iPhones. If correct, Kuo’s information would mean iPhone 15 Pro models will have superior designs, build materials, displays, chipsets, cameras (front and back) and now connectivity.
With iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus sales slumping, I’m not convinced that further widening the gap between standard iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro models is the best way forward for Apple. Especially with higher asking prices anticipated. Apple is getting away with it currently because upgraders are buying Pro models instead. But that is not sustainable long term.
