Mystery iPhone 15 chip could spell bad news for USB-C charging speeds

Date:
Tue, 15 Aug 2023 10:34:14 +0000

Description:
New iPhone 15 images suggest that Apple will include a specially-designed
chip in its USB-C ports.

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Weve known for some time that Apple will probably be replacing the Lightning port with a USB-C port on every iPhone 15 model this year, but were now learning more about how these new charging ports could enhance or
potentially limit the functionality of the companys upcoming handsets.

According to new iPhone 15 Plus images posted to X by serial Apple leaker Majin Bu, Apple will include a custom-made 3LD3 chip in the USB-C port of the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max .

Why is this significant? Well, per Bus follow-up post, this mystery chip will likely do one of two things: better protect the iPhone 15 against data compromise, or limit the charging speeds of third-party charging accessories. iPhone15 Plus USB C connector detail pic.twitter.com/J0nDO7WPeU August 14, 2023 See more

If the former, this is good news for prospective iPhone 15 owners. Wired charging methods are known for exposing smartphones to harmful data hacking, with iPhones, in particular, proving an especially attractive target for data thieves who use public charging stations to install harmful malware .

Cables in compromised charging stations can attach to your iPhones data pins, but this Apple-made 3LD3 chip would presumably limit the risk of any unwanted data transfer.

However, if the second of Bus suggestions proves correct, then Apple may have a political battle on its hands. For those not in-the-know, a new EU regulation means that smartphone manufacturers must include USB-C charging ports on all new technology products sold in EU countries from the end of 2024. Apple looks set to meet that requirement with the iPhone 15 line so far, so good.

But the whole point of this new EU regulation is to level the playing field when it comes to charging speeds and charger compatibility. If this 3LD3 chip is designed to give Apples proprietary charging accessories an edge over
those from third-party manufacturers, then the company is deliberately undermining the EU's directive. The iPhone 14 could be the last iPhone to feature the Lightning port (Image credit: Shutterstock / charnsitr)

Indeed, wed already heard that Apple could be preparing to pull this trick. Its been widely reported, for instance, that the tech giant is planning to implement MFi (Made for iPhone) certification on its range of USB-C accessories , which had led many including us to speculate that these Apple-produced chargers would enable faster charging speeds on the iPhone 15 than third-party chargers from other manufacturers.

The EU itself responded to these reports by warning Apple against making such a move , citing its desire to keep the charging playing field level. EU Industry Commissioner Thierry Breton even went as far as to tell the company that it will prevent iPhones from being sold in member countries (such as France, Germany and Spain) if it attempts to skirt around the EUs new USB-C charging policy.

Its worth clarifying that this policy doesnt officially kick in until the end of 2024, so Apple doesn't technically have to abide by the EUs warning until that date. That said, with the company all but certain to include USB-C charging ports on its newest iPhones a year earlier than absolutely
necessary, youd expect that these ports would fully comply with the EUs regulations.

In any case, youll still be able to use third-party USB-C chargers to power your iPhone 15 but these accessories may not work their magic quite as quickly as comparable first-party chargers bought directly from Apple.

That sounds like good news for die-hard Apple fans, but since Apple no longer includes chargers in the box with iPhone purchases, youll almost certainly have to fork out extra cash for one of the companys proprietary charging accessories if you want to get the most from your iPhone 15.



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/phones/iphone/mystery-iphone-15-chip-could-spell-bad -news-for-usb-c-charging-speeds


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