iPhone 15 Models Have 'Completely Standard' USB-C Port Without Restrictions on Accessories - MacRumors
Skip to Content

iPhone 15 Models Have 'Completely Standard' USB-C Port Without Restrictions on Accessories

Apple's new iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max are equipped with a "completely standard" USB-C port without any restrictions on cables or accessories, according to Ars Technica's Andrew Cunningham.

iPhone 15 USB C Port Event Still
For previous iPhones with the Lightning connector, Apple limits the functionality of some cables and accessories that are not certified through its "Made for iPhone" program. It was rumored that Apple might apply similar limitations to the USB-C port on iPhone 15 models, but this report confirms that is not the case.

As with iPads and Macs with USB-C ports, the report said all existing USB cables, chargers, and accessories will work normally with the iPhone 15 models.

As the report notes, it is still possible that Apple will launch a "Made for iPhone" certification program for iPhone accessories with a USB-C port, but it appears that uncertified accessories will work just fine with the devices.

All four iPhone 15 models are equipped with a USB-C port, but there are differences in data transfer speeds. The lower-end iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus are limited to USB 2.0 data transfer speeds of up to 480 Mbps, which is equal to Lightning, while the iPhone 15 Pro models support USB 3 data transfer speeds of up to 10 Gbps.

Apple began accepting pre-orders for all four iPhone 15 models earlier today. The devices launch on Friday, September 22.

Tag: USB-C
Related Forum: iPhone

Popular Stories

Apple HomeView lineup feature1

Apple Announces 'HomeView' Smart Home Hub

Tuesday October 13, 2026 6:00 am PDT by
Apple today announced the "HomeView," an all-new kind of smart home hub featuring a 7-inch Liquid Retina display and Siri AI. Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing Greg Joswiak said: Apple HomeView is designed to be shared by everyone in the home yet feel completely personal to each user. It recognizes your face to shift from a household screen to your own experience,...
Apple TV 4K 4th Generation feature4

New Apple TV 4K Announced With A19 Chip, Updated Siri Remote, More

Tuesday October 13, 2026 6:08 am PDT by
Apple today announced the fourth-generation Apple TV 4K, with key features including an A19 chip, Siri AI support, an updated Siri Remote that has Find My support with Precision Finding, built in far-field microphones, support for surround sound with four HomePods in front and rear pairs, and more. The A19 chip in the new Apple TV 4K delivers up to 50% faster CPU performance and up to twice...
iOS 26 Home Feature

RIP, homeOS

Tuesday October 13, 2026 9:39 am PDT by
MacRumors was first to reveal the name "HomeView" last week, after discovering a trademark filing from a secretive shell company that we correctly suspected was linked to Apple. Apple was likely behind a "homeOS" trademark filing as well, but the company ultimately decided to stick with generic "HomeView software" naming, just like it refers to the HomePod's operating system as "HomePod...

Top Rated Comments

contacos Avatar
40 months ago

Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t get the big deal with the phones needing to use USB-C. I can’t remember the last time I plugged a phone in. Honestly I would have preferred a phone without any ports. Wasn‘t wireless charging the future?
I travel a lot and wireless charging is a pain in the ass. Takes too long when you quickly want to charge your phone before stepping out again and obviously nearly impossible to use to charge in the backpack. Also makes my phone turn hot. Can’t be good for its health
Score: 27 Votes (Like | Disagree)
40 months ago
A decade ago I bought $1.00 knock off Lighting cables that worked on my 2012 iPhone's 5W charger.

When I heard that fast charging was possible using the 10-12W iPad charger I switched to that.

To my surprise I started to smell burning palstic as thecable's insulation started to smoke through and melt.

Since then I used MFI-compliant Anker USB-A to Lightning cables.

Back when the 2015 Google Nexus 6P & 5X phones came out there was a mad dash for USB-C cables & chargers. The big topic back then was USB-C compliant cables. It was so bad that Google engineer Benson Leung made a database on what brands are compliant or not ('https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benson_Leung').

I know everyone's saying Apple's profiteering from Lightning port but to be honest I rather pay $10 than lose my house ('https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/usb-chargers-health-canada-recall-halifax-fire-firefighters-1.4622943') or my life. ('https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/faulty-usb-phone-charger-blamed-for-sheryl-aldeguers-death-20140627-zsoc8.html')
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
fatTribble Avatar
40 months ago
So maybe Apple isn’t as mean as many feared? 🤔
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
HobeSoundDarryl Avatar
40 months ago

Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t get the big deal with the phones needing to use USB-C. I can’t remember the last time I plugged a phone in. Honestly I would have preferred a phone without any ports. Wasn‘t wireless charging the future?
You got it in the first 4 words. Not everyone is you. I plug my iDevice in every night to charge. Wired charging is far more efficient than wireless and data transfers over wire are far more efficient than wireless transfers... especially if the cloud is involved as middleman.

People who need to move a LOT of data- such as a lot of 4K video or now spatial video shot on these new phones- will likely much prefer to do that with a FAST wired connection than a slow wireless connection. Unlimited* plans that throttle speeds at a certain data transfer capacity will be at risk every month if someone shoots much video and transfers it all over cellular (to/through iCloud). Wired doesn't need cellular (or wifi) at all.

People setting up these brand new phones who have extensive "owned" (not rented) collections of ripped music, video, etc will likely want to use a wired connection in that first restore to get it all on the new phone FAST... vs. waiting for the much slower migration wirelessly and/or via cloud.

However, you are not alone. There are many people who do both wirelessly. It very well may be the future... but in the present, it is less efficient in both primary uses.

BONUS: the jack existing opens up the opportunity for MANY accessories that can't function wirelessly at all. For example, you shoot a bunch of footage to near capacity and need to shoot more, hook in a USB-C drive/stick and free up the internal space without having to delete footage. Shoot to capacity and repeat as often as needed. Cloud only works if you have a connection and it may be too slow to free up the space for the new video you are wanting to also shoot ASAP.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
blazerunner Avatar
40 months ago

EU just did what US wouldn't.
Fixed that for you.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
40 months ago
I mean...of course it's unrestricted just like the iPads.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Latest Stories
Apple TV 4K and HomePod Mini Price Increases 'Much More Striking' Than New Features
Apple TV 4K and HomePod Mini Price Increases 'Much More Striking' Than New Features
2 hours ago
The MacRumors Show: Was HomeView Worth the Wait?
The MacRumors Show: Was HomeView Worth the Wait?
4 hours ago
Apple Refers to HomeView as 'HomePodDevice' in Legal Document
Apple Refers to HomeView as 'HomePodDevice' in Legal Document
4 hours ago
Apple Pre-Orders Kick Off With First Discounts on HomeView and Apple TV 4K
Apple Pre-Orders Kick Off With First Discounts on HomeView and Apple TV 4K
6 hours ago
Developers Question Scope of Potential Apple Antitrust Settlement
Developers Question Scope of Potential Apple Antitrust Settlement
6 hours ago
iPhone Duo Resold for $5,000 on eBay After Selling Out
iPhone Duo Resold for $5,000 on eBay After Selling Out
6 hours ago
Massive Discounts Hit 2026 MacBook Pro With Up to $800 Off
Massive Discounts Hit 2026 MacBook Pro With Up to $800 Off
6 hours ago
iPhone Duo is Sold Out for Christmas as Shipping Estimates Slip to 2027
iPhone Duo is Sold Out for Christmas as Shipping Estimates Slip to 2027
7 hours ago
Didn't Pre-Order an iPhone Duo Yet? Wait Times Are Significant Now
Didn't Pre-Order an iPhone Duo Yet? Wait Times Are Significant Now
7 hours ago
First Apple TV 4K Pre-Order Discount Arrives at Amazon
First Apple TV 4K Pre-Order Discount Arrives at Amazon
8 hours ago
iPhone Duo Pre-Order Deals: The Best Carrier Offers From AT&T and T-Mobile
iPhone Duo Pre-Order Deals: The Best Carrier Offers From AT&T and T-Mobile
8 hours ago
iPhone Duo Now Available to Pre-Order From Apple
iPhone Duo Now Available to Pre-Order From Apple
8 hours ago
iPhone 18 Pro vs. iPhone Duo Buyer's Guide: Which Should You Choose?
iPhone 18 Pro vs. iPhone Duo Buyer's Guide: Which Should You Choose?
10 hours ago
Apple Store Down Ahead of iPhone Duo Pre-Orders
Apple Store Down Ahead of iPhone Duo Pre-Orders
10 hours ago
Oops, Apple's Website Just Hinted at iPad Mini 8
Oops, Apple's Website Just Hinted at iPad Mini 8
19 hours ago
OLED MacBook Pro Won't Get M7 Chips Until Late 2027
OLED MacBook Pro Won't Get M7 Chips Until Late 2027
22 hours ago
Apple Pledged $25 Million to Trump's White House Ballroom
Apple Pledged $25 Million to Trump's White House Ballroom
23 hours ago
Touchscreen MacBook Pro Could Launch on November 6
Touchscreen MacBook Pro Could Launch on November 6
1 day ago
New Withings Users Must Pay $99/Year for Apple Health Syncing
New Withings Users Must Pay $99/Year for Apple Health Syncing
1 day ago
Meta and Apple Bring Muse Spark Open AI Model to Mac Studio
Meta and Apple Bring Muse Spark Open AI Model to Mac Studio
1 day ago
iPad Mini 8: Apple Has Tested Both 60Hz and 120Hz ProMotion Displays
iPad Mini 8: Apple Has Tested Both 60Hz and 120Hz ProMotion Displays
1 day ago
Apple TV 4K 2022 vs. 2026 Buyer's Guide: All Differences Compared
Apple TV 4K 2022 vs. 2026 Buyer's Guide: All Differences Compared
1 day ago
Apple CEO John Ternus on Early Foldables: 'Kind of Cheap and Crappy'
Apple CEO John Ternus on Early Foldables: 'Kind of Cheap and Crappy'
1 day ago
Greg Joswiak Says Apple Isn't Focused on Making AI for 'Lunatic Fringe'
Greg Joswiak Says Apple Isn't Focused on Making AI for 'Lunatic Fringe'
1 day ago
Amazon Offers $120 Discount on AirPods Max 2, $50 Off AirPods Pro 3
Amazon Offers $120 Discount on AirPods Max 2, $50 Off AirPods Pro 3
1 day ago
Apple CEO John Ternus Featured on Cover of TIME Magazine: 'New Era'
Apple CEO John Ternus Featured on Cover of TIME Magazine: 'New Era'
1 day ago
Apple Announces Deadline to 'Get Ready' to Pre-Order the iPhone Duo
Apple Announces Deadline to 'Get Ready' to Pre-Order the iPhone Duo
1 day ago
MKBHD is 'Not Convinced' About Apple's New HomeView, Here's Why
MKBHD is 'Not Convinced' About Apple's New HomeView, Here's Why
1 day ago
Apple's Wall-Mounted HomeView Ships Without a Power Adapter
Apple's Wall-Mounted HomeView Ships Without a Power Adapter
1 day ago
Rare Apple-1 With Steve Jobs Letter Sells for $1.15 Million
Rare Apple-1 With Steve Jobs Letter Sells for $1.15 Million
1 day ago