In the early morning of September 13, 2023, Beijing time, Apple officially released the iPhone 15 series and a new generation of Apple Watch. Judging from the feedback from the comment area, everyone seemed not satisfied with the early morning conference: Apple Watch the product line was not updated enough. Even though the new iPhone 15 series used the smart island design, Apple was still unwilling to downgrade the high refresh rate of the ProMotion with the “Pro” label to the iPhone of the digital series.
However, the good news is that the iPhone 15 also uses the “new” USB Type-C interface.
However, the bad news is that with Apple’s precise cost control and product positioning, even the USB-C interface of iPhone 15 can be made in different versions 2.0 and 3.0. In order to find out the details hidden in small words behind the iPhone 15 series switching USB-C, let’s have a “you ask me answer” about the interface of the new iPhone USB-C “.
Why do I use USB-C now?
Different from many people’s imagination, Apple didn’t work overtime to change the iPhone to USB-C under the circumstance that the EU imposed a huge fine of “being under the City.
It is undeniable that the launch of iPhone 15 and USB-C, which will switch to the AirPods interface in 2023, as well as the USB-C interface version MagSafe battery, keyboard, touchpad and other accessories that will be seen in the future, is indeed Apple’s self-protection behavior that does not want to become the “EU money printing machine. However, according to the news source, Apple considered bringing the iPad Pro interface to iPhone at least five years earlier, that is, when USB-C switched to USB-C interface.
Apple began testing the iPhone using USB-C in 2018, and even “agreed to switch to USB-C in 2023” were the results of Apple’s negotiation with relevant agencies.
As for why Apple still held the USB-C interface to postpone the launch of Lightning iPhone 5 years ago to 2023? The reason is actually very simple:
Switching to USB-C does not fundamentally increase the sales volume of iPhone. After all, Apple has not seen the iPhone sell well for so many years. However, switching to USB-C is equivalent to directly abandoning the MFi “cash tree” established by relying on the Lightning interface “. Indeed, even if the iPhone is switched to USB-C, brands close to Apple, such as Belkin and Mophie, will still renew the “USB-C version of MFi”. However, from the point that Belkin, as Apple’s “accessory brand”, has secretly launched the “MagSafe compatible” wireless power bank, Apple seems to see the uncertainty of the MFi market in the future, so it is to negotiate the time point of “2023 switch to USB-C.
What is the impact on ordinary users? Will charging be faster?
If you only have one mobile phone, besides replacing the Lightning accessories you sold before, changing the iPhone to use USB-C has no substantial impact on you, and it is even more convenient to find someone to borrow the data cable when going out.
If you use both iPhone and Android phones, it is a great good news for you to switch iPhone to USB-C. Many companies have switched to wireless charging for a long time in order to use the same charging device to charge iPhone, Nothing, Xperia and Moto. However, because there is only one wireless charging bit on the car, the car still needs to be equipped with Lightning and USB-C charging wires at the same time.
Switching to USB-C means that the iPhone can be directly charged with the charging cable of the Android phone, and there is no need to bring another cable when going out.
As for the charging speed, unfortunately, this year the iPhone still runs 18W(20W)PD fast charging, and the charging speed has not changed. However, in terms of wireless charging, Apple has added Qi 2 wireless charging support to the iPhone 15 series. Even if it is not an MFM(Made for MAgSafe) certified accessory, it should still be able to use 15W wireless charging.
Is this USB-C encrypted?
No encryption, completely universal.
Many people think that Apple will use chips to “jam the neck” on the USB-C, and think that the so-called “MFiC” Ecology is made. Some people even think that the Android of iPhone and USB-C are not universal. However, as I said before, iPad Pro used the USB-C interface after 2018, and after many years of update, it even used USB4 first, and some marketing numbers “expected” USB-C were not common.
However, some USB-C accessories on the market need to be used with iOS and Android apps, such as FLIR thermal imaging cameras. Although many people FLIR ONE to use the USB-C interface, the iPad Pro on the FLIR ONE App cannot read this camera. This situation should also occur in iPhone 15, which requires subsequent adaptation by FLIR.
However, considering that most people will not use such complicated accessories on mobile phones, for most plug-and-play USB-C devices, such as wired earphones, power bank, USB card readers and other devices, the USB-C of iPhone 15 series should be no different from that of Android mobile phones.
What is the difference between USB-C and Type-C? Can Android Type-C cable charge iPhone?
First of all, the conclusion is that USB-C is Type-C,Android data cable can charge iPhone 15.
USB-C, the full name is USB Type-C, which is what people usually say Type-C.
USB is A Type of interface specification. Common USB Drive-A, USB Type-B, and USB Type-C are commonly used in printers. Since only USB Type-A was common in the early years, people are used to directly using USB to refer to USB Type-A. However, after the USB-C appeared, in order to make it easier to distinguish orally, we chose to continue to call USB Type-A as USB and USB Type-C as Type-C.
After all, this is basically the same interface and can be used universally. As long as it is in accordance with the provisions of USBIF, the USB-C data cable that has not been changed by the brand and supports PD can be quickly charged to iPhone with PD 20W charging head, and in turn, it can also be quickly charged to Android mobile phones that support PD fast charging.
Can MacBook PSU adapter charge iPhone?
As I said just now, USB-C is Type-C, so the Mac charger can charge the iPhone quickly. Some people may worry that the high-power Mac PSU adapter will damage the low-power iPhone, which is unnecessary. Before charging, a regular and qualified charger will conduct a quick “handshake” with the electric control in the mobile phone to confirm the combination of power and voltage and current that can be input and input by both parties, and then deliver electricity according to the handshake result.
Even if I use 100W TB3 cable to plug the iPhone 15 which can only eat 20W into the 240W PSU adapter, the adapter still supplies power to the iPhone 15 in the mode of 20W PD after shaking hands. In addition, Apple’s website also clearly marked that the Mac PSU adapter can be used for the iPhone 15 series.
Although we can use the Mac PSU adapter to charge the iPhone, it will be discussed by classification in turn. The minimum power requirement for triggering iPhone 15 series fast charging is PD 20W. Generally, 5W or even lower can be used for charging. However, in order to charge the MacBook, PSU the adapter at least meets the PD 35W requirement.
If you have equipped the iPhone 15 with a PD 35W or higher power PSU adapter, you can indeed use a charger to charge the iPhone and Mac. However, if you only have a PD 20W charger, because it cannot meet the minimum power requirement of the MacBook, the two sides will not enter the PSU transmission state after shaking hands successfully. At this time, there will also be a pop-up window on the Mac, indicating that the equipment is not charging.
Why is the transmission rate different between the 15 series and the Pro Series?
This problem is very simple. In order to reduce the cost of the iPhone 15 series, Apple cut off the USB 3.0 protocol support of the iPhone 15 with precise knife method. That is to say, the iPhone 15 digital series uses the 2.0 protocol even if USB-C interface is changed.
If you cannot distinguish between interfaces and protocols, here is a simple example.
A complete USB-C interface defines 24 pins with 12 pins on each side. Some Android mobile phone brands that like to deduct costs may cut down several pins, but 12 pins are uniformly calculated here.
We imagine these 12 pins as 12 lanes. The agreement refers to the cars running in these 12 lanes. If you do not calculate the cost, you can use Concorde (high-speed protocol, such as USB40Gbps) to transport goods (transmit data) on these 12 lanes.
However, not all enterprises are willing to have such a high configuration, and not all users need such a fast transmission speed, so iPhone 15 has equipped several low-speed vehicles for the 12-lane highway to transport goods (low-speed protocol, such as USB 2.0). Compared with the era of Lightning, these numbers did not increase, but changed from 8 lanes to 12 lanes. So how slow was the data transmission of the iPhone in the past, and how slow is the current iPhone 15.
One more word, the transmission speed of the iPhone 15 Pro Series is 10Gbps, and Apple is labeled as USB 3.0 protocol. However, according to the specification of USBIF, this so-called “USB 3.0” is actually called “USB 3.1 Gen 2” and “USB 3.2 Gen 2 × 1“. According to the latest USB4 naming convention, this interface should be called “SuperSpeed USB 10Gbps”.
Creative professionals and filmmakers become better in the new professional workflow. Users can now obtain up to 20 times the transmission speed through the optional USB 3.0 cable. iPhone and third-party solutions (such as Capture One) can also help photographers create a professional studio that allows them to shoot and transfer 48MP ProRAW images from iPhone to Mac immediately. ProRes videos can be directly recorded to external storage and support higher recording options up to 4K and 60 fps. When using iPhone as the main camera, the setting is more flexible. The iPhone 15 Pro also introduces a new Log coding option and is the world’s first smartphone that supports ACES (Academy Color encoding System). ACES is the global standard for Color workflow.
How many adapters do iPhone 15 series need?
No, thank you.
As I said just now, USB-C and Type-C are the same thing. Considering the penetration rate of active TB3 equipment, as long as it is qualified and can transmit data USB-C line, it can be directly used. There is no need to convert the USB-C of iPhone 15 into Lightning before transferring other accessories. As long as it is USB-C and plug-and-play accessories, most of them can communicate directly.
However, if you have purchased some special accessories, such as the Lightning interface version FLIR ONE PRO that need to be used with the App, you should consider the transfer plan.
What is the impact on the MFi ecosystem and the third-party parts market?
As far as the current situation is concerned, switching iPhone to USB-C interface is not as simple as changing the interface, which means that Apple has collapsed from the perspective of facts from the MFi ecological empire which has been in operation for many years.
From the user’s point of view, switching to USB-C means that Apple will actually fully open the third-party accessory ecology, and the entry threshold for the iPhone mobile accessory industry will also be greatly reduced. After losing the aura of MFi, the advantage of old MFi accessory enterprises such as Belkin and Mophie is only deep cooperation with Apple, which can get the most accurate relevant product molds in advance.
For Apple, switching to USB-C means that Apple must accelerate the technological accumulation of MagSafe ecology. There is no doubt that MAgSafe is actually the next Lightning interface, which can be opened to third parties and added to Qi 2 ecosystem, but is completely controlled by Apple.
For third-party brands, on the one hand, MagSafe launched products can adapt to Apple’s products, on the other hand, they can also obtain safer and better Qi wireless charging technology, and this technology can also be applied to other mobile phones that support Qi wireless charging, which can be said to be three gains at one stroke.
In addition to building an ecological Kingdom, MagSafe actually has a more important task, which is to cultivate users’ “wireless” operation habits and pave the way for Apple’s hole-free operation. Since the invention of mobile phone, mobile phone has been developing on the road of integration. From removable batteries to eSIM, all major brands hope to reduce the moving parts in mobile phones and make mobile phones non-porous.
When the iPhone no longer relies on data interfaces, it is the day when Apple rebuilt the MFi empire.