Report: Apple could limit iPhone 15’s USB-C support

As countries around the world pressure Apple to ditch its proprietary Lightning Port to adopt USB-C, Apple seems to have more tricks up its sleeve.

While the European Union and the Indian government has introduced rules to make USB-C connectors mandatory for portable devices, including iPhones, as a means to make charging standards universal, Apple is reportedly working on a way to make the USB-C port it's tipped to introduce in the upcoming iPhones exclusive to its ecosystem, by bringing in limitations similar to its Lightning Port.

According to a report by MacRumours, Apple is planning to use a custom integrated circuit (IC) for the USB-C port in its upcoming iPhones.

The port will be made to authenticate the components being used, and if found incompatible, the device will likely not charge.

Apple already performs such authentication with its Lightning cables, which was introduced back in 2012.

The first-party and MFi-certified Lightning ports and connectors come with ICs that verify the components making the connection, resulting in an alert that says, "This accessory is not supported".

That said, it is worth noting that none of Apple's existing portfolio of devices supporting USB-C charging such as the iPad 10 th Gen, iPad Mini, iPad Air, and iPad Pro come with any restrictions. So it's advisable to take this information with a pinch of salt.

However, based on the report, Apple will likely restrict fast charging or high-speed data transfer to its first-party and Made For iPhone-certified cables.

Previously, noted tipster Ming Chi Kuo said the iPhone 15 series will come with a USB-C port, with enhanced data transfer speeds.

However, the high-speed data transfer will only be restricted to the high-end iPhone 15 Pro and the Pro Max, and if true, the iPhone 15 Ultra.

Kuo suggested that the iPhone 15 Pro and the iPhone 15 Pro Max are expected to come with at least USB 3.2 or Thunderbolt 3 connectivity, with data transfer speeds of up to 20Gbps, while the regular iPhone 15 may stick to older USB 2.0 connectivity.