All iPhone 15 rumors point to the iPhone 15 switching to a USB-C connection. But it seems more likely than ever that this change will come with a big catch.
Apple Analyst Ming Chi Kuo (Opens in a new tab) is the latest sound indicating that Apple will limit the charging speed for iPhone 15 users who don’t resort to Apple-certified chargers and cables.
Kuo claims that the iPhone 15’s fastest charging speeds will only work if you have a USB-C cable that’s been certified through Apple’s Made for iPhone (MFi) program. So even if you have a USB-C charging brick made by Apple, you won’t be able to enjoy fast charging speeds unless you have the right cable.
Kuo also claims that while all iPhone 15 models will come with USB-C, only the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max will benefit from USB 3.2 data transfer speeds of 20Gbps. It looks like the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus will be stuck with USB 2.0, which offers the same 480Mbps data transfer speeds as Apple’s Lightning port and the iPad 10.
Apple hasn’t imposed any restrictions on USB-C on its iPads or Macs, and both have featured the port for several years. So the question is, why does Apple start imposing this limitation now?
The official line will always be about safety
In previous comments, Apple noted that the MFi program has always been concerned with protecting customers, making sure their cables and accessories are safe and authentic. The Made for iPhone seal means consumers know they’re buying products that are guaranteed to be compatible with their device, and not some kind of fake.
MFi is also designed to ensure that Apple accessories pass rigorous quality control checks and are safe to use. An MFi charger, even if it’s not made by Apple, won’t automatically burn out and burn your house down. The off-brand charger I found on Amazon does not have the same warranties.
Given this situation, Apple would likely claim that adapting MFi to its USB-C cables and accessories is the best thing for its customers. This way these customers know that no matter what their phone’s port is, Apple-certified chargers and accessories will be practical and safe.
In fact, Apple only needs to point to stories from the early days of USB-C to prove its point. From time to time there have been multiple cases of fake cables and chargers catching fire. It was very bad at one point Amazon banned the sale of USB-C cables that were not compatible With the standards set by the USB-Implementers forum.
Of course, the question is why Apple waited so long to implement a strict USB-C certification system. The first USB-C MacBook launched in 2015, while the first USB-C iPad hit the scene in 2018. The fact that the company is only going to do this now, with the imminent launch of the USB-C iPhone 15 seems odd timing to me.
Switching to USB-C is a revenue issue
The main thing to remember about the MFi program is that Apple does not certify devices for free. Accessory and cable makers not only have to pay $99 to sign up, but they also have to pay royalties — an amount Apple is only required to disclose under a non-disclosure agreement.
USB-C technology is royalty-free, meaning anyone can use it without paying a fee. USB branding and logos are a different matter, but that doesn’t change the fact that anyone can develop USB-C products without having to pay for the privilege. A hard switch to USB-C would cut off one of Apple’s many revenue streams, while an MFi adaptation of the port could help preserve it.
We don’t know exactly how much Apple makes from accessories alone each year, just that its Wearables, Home & Accessories division brought in $41.1 billion in 2022. As the name suggests, this category includes many different products, such as the Apple Watch, HomePod mini, AirPods and so on. embolden.
Accessories may not be where the bulk of Apple’s money comes from, but Apple is still a profit-driven company. You won’t want to cut into a profitable revenue stream unless you have to — especially when it comes to the iPhone, a product that generated nearly 52% of the company’s revenue in 2022.
In other words, more people buy iPhones than iPads and Macs. This means that without the MFi restrictions, far more people would be able to purchase uncertified cables and accessories, causing Apple to lose revenue in the process.
Kuo claims that Apple is expecting its 20W USB-C charging brick to rise by 120% thanks to the launch of the iPhone 15 — all because users who still own a regular USB charging station will need to purchase a charger with a USB-C port. These chargers cost $19 apiece, and MFi’s limitations mean users are less likely to try to find a cheaper option.
Safe or not, the limitations of USB-C are still pro-Apple and anti-consumer
Despite Apple’s claims about the security benefits of MFi’s limitations, it’s hard to see any real benefit to consumers that stems from the limitations of USB-C accessories. The fact that the same EU legislation mandates USB-C charging on iPhones Restrictions on charging and data transfer are also prohibitedis a great indicator of that.
The whole idea behind the EU regulation was to ensure that people could still use their old chargers after buying a new phone. The idea of only being able to use Apple-certified cables runs counter to that idea, and trying to do so could land the company in serious trouble with regulators.
Of course, such restrictions will only be against the law within the EU, and only after the end of 2024. Brussels’ influence may be strong enough to cause major changes in devices around the world, but its jurisdiction has very clear limits. There is nothing to prevent Apple from using software trickery to ensure that EU customers do not suffer the same legally permissible shipping restrictions elsewhere.
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The whole purpose of the EU’s USB-C requirement was to give people the freedom to choose the charger they want without penalty, even if a few people use that freedom to choose the dumbest, least expensive charger they can find.
If anything, the impending transition to USB-C should force Apple to improve the quality of its cables and accessories. There’s no shame in offering a premium price if you’re offering a premium product, and this attitude is present in every aspect of a consumer’s life. But it is difficult to justify this if you deliberately deprive your competitors of the opportunity to compete on an equal footing.