The European Union will force all hardware manufacturers that their next devices incorporate USB – C, which therefore also includes the iPhone. For years, Apple has maintained the use of its own connector, Lightning, despite complaints from users and how outdated it is today in many respects.
Now, the bitten apple company has reluctantly accepted this new imposition from Europe and the future iPhone 15 is expected to integrate USB -C, although it will come with a surprise.
A limited USB-C?
According to a user on Weibo, the Chinese social network, the USB – C port of the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro will be equipped with an authenticator chip. And what is this chip for? Basically, Apple will be able to restrict some functions of the iPhone 15 depending on the legitimacy of the cable used. If it’s an official cable, you won’t have any problems. If not, you are likely to suffer some inconveniences.
The chip that the new iPhones will have will check if the cable that is connected has the MFi (Made For iPhone) certification. This certification is available for all cables sold by Apple and also for many accessories manufactured by third parties and authorized by the company.As a curiosity, it is worth noting that the USB – C ports that iPads have do not have any kind of active restriction.
At the moment, these are just rumors and speculations. It has also been said that the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro will have two different USB-C types. The more basic model would have much lower transfer speeds than the Pro version.
Apple and its control problems
Considering that this chip is not new in the iPhone, it was logical to think that we would see it back but in the USB – C. As always, the consumer in the end is the one who gets hurt by limiting their options and being pushed to buy the most expensive accessories.
On the other hand, Apple claims that this allows to protect the device and not to plug any kind of peripheral that could be dangerous. Even so, it still sounds like a bit of an excuse, especially if we take into account that iPads do not have this limitation.
