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The latest iPhone 15 leaks have revealed that the phone will finally trade a Lightning port for USB-C, but a new rumor suggests that Apple will still find a way to put restrictions on the charging standard.
A formerly reliable leaker called ShrimpApplePro (opens in new tab) said in a tweet that “USB-C is happening with MFi,” with the MFi standing for Apple’s “Made for iPhone” program. That’s important, because Apple’s program may limit the functionality and performance of accessories that aren’t approved by the tech giant.
If the rumor is true, and USB accessories for the iPhone 15 require MFi certification, that could create a situation where some cables have limited data and charging speeds. In the worst case, you could even see the dreaded “This accessory is not supported” warning on your iPhone.
The leak has added credibility as it follows earlier rumors from Chinese social media site Weibo that the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro will be equipped with an authentication chip to check peripheral compatibility; in other words, Apple’s MFi chip.
But while there’s growing evidence that Apple is typically adding an extra layer of control to the USB-C standard for the iPhone 15, there are also reasons to doubt the rumours. For example, the Apple iPad has had USB-C ports since the iPad Pro 11 (2018), but the series has never had any kind of charging restrictions.
The inclusion of MFi authentication on the iPhone 15 could also create a potentially annoying inconsistency for those who have both an iPhone and an iPad and want to use the same charging cable for both. Still, rumors are increasingly suggesting that proprietary cables could still be a thing for the iPhone 15, so it’ll be interesting to see Apple turn that around in September if this turns out to be the case.
Analysis: a highly charged issue
Rumors that Apple would make a “Made for iPhone” move between iPhone 15 accessories and a global standard like USB-C have inevitably led to polarized opinions. And it’s important to remember that these are just rumors at this stage.
Apple critics will point out that the company traditionally charges third-party accessory makers a fee to get certified MFi branding for Lightning accessories. Now that smartphone shipments have just registered their biggest drop ever (opens in new tab) (with an 18.3% year-over-year decline during the last few months of 2022), this could be something Apple isn’t keen on losing.
Then there’s the problem that iPhone 15 owners could potentially face issues such as slower data transfer speeds (something not covered by EU law) if they don’t purchase MFi-approved cables. In theory, this goes against the idea and spirit of an open standard like USB-C.
But there’s also the argument that “Made for iPhone” helps protect iPhone owners from buying potentially harmful cables, or cables that don’t work as intended. USB-C cables can vary wildly in terms of specs and the type of charging they offer, so it wouldn’t be hugely surprising if Apple steps in in an effort to create a consistent experience.
What could be slightly more controversial are rumors that the iPhone 15 Pro could support faster data transfer speeds than the standard iPhone 15, which has been tipped to maintain the same speeds (USB 2.0 equivalent) as current Lightning-equipped iPhones.
