Kuo: Only iPhone 15 Pro Models Will Support Higher-Speed Data Transfers With USB-C Upgrade

The iPhone 15 Pro models that are planned for next year will support higher wired transfer speeds thanks to the transition to USB-C, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

iPhone 15 to Switch From Lightning to USB C in 2023 feature
While all ‌iPhone 15‌ models are going to feature USB-C ports instead of Lightning ports, the faster transfer speeds will be limited to the ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro models. Standard ‌iPhone 15‌ models will continue to feature USB 2.0 speeds, the same as Lightning.


Kuo says that transfer speeds will likely "improve markedly" on the ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro models, with support for "at least" USB 3.2 or Thunderbolt 3. With the upgrade, ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro models will be able to transfer video files and other file types at quicker speeds, with Kuo predicting a significantly improved user experience.

USB 2.0 transfer speeds are limited to 480Mb/s, while USB 3.2 supports speeds up to 20Gb/s. Thunderbolt 3 supports data transfer speeds up to 40Gb/s, so if Kuo is correct, there will be a major difference in wired data transfer speeds between Pro and non-Pro ‌iPhone 15‌ models.

Apple is transitioning to USB-C across its product lineup, and the first USB-C iPhones are due next year. Apple is making the change in order to comply with European regulations that require electronic devices to have non-proprietary, common charging methods.

Related Roundup: iPhone 15
Related Forum: iPhone

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Top Rated Comments

bwillwall Avatar
35 months ago
USB 3.0 isn't an expensive or premium feature. This really irritates me. It should be standard in anything with USBC today. 2.0 is ancient and there's no excuse other than they picked a cheap reason to try to make people buy a Pro. I hope this is just a rumor.
Score: 43 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JPack Avatar
35 months ago
USB 2.0 in 2023? Definitely feels like a Tim Cook decision.

https://www.macrumors.com/2022/11/08/apple-design-team-focused-on-costs-report/
Score: 34 Votes (Like | Disagree)
siddavis Avatar
35 months ago
Remember when they only made great products?
Score: 31 Votes (Like | Disagree)
colonel179 Avatar
35 months ago
It would be so petty from Apple if they limit the USB-C to 2.0 speeds.

Although it’s very unlikely. Definitely will have Thunderbolt 3 and Pros will have Thunderbolt 4/ USB4 like Macs and iPad Pro
Score: 25 Votes (Like | Disagree)
HiVolt Avatar
35 months ago
Thats good but terrible at the same time...

They should support the fastest speeds on the Pro's, but allow at least basic USB 3.0 speeds on the standard models.
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ddtmm Avatar
35 months ago
If this is what Apple is doing it's pretty lame. I can't think of any other device that uses USB-C at USB 2 speeds but Apple may land yet another courageous first.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)