Apple's Latest iPhone 15 To Include USB-C But With A Catch

Apple is finally bowing to regulatory pressure by including a USB-C port in its upcoming iPhone 15 line-up, reports the Wall Street Journal. However, in typical Apple fashion, there appears to be a catch - the included USB-C cable will only support the slower USB 2.0 standard.

While the rest of the electronics industry has standardized on the newer, faster USB-C connector, Apple has stubbornly stuck to its proprietary Lightning port. But new EU regulations are forcing the company's hand.

Apple could have embraced the full potential of USB-C, with its Thunderbolt 3 and 4 capabilities enabling data transfers up to 40Gbps. Instead, Apple seems set to include a USB 2.0 cable in the box, limiting speeds to just 480Mbps. Users wanting faster wired transfer speeds will need to purchase a more advanced USB-C cable separately.

Rumours point to Apple enabling Thunderbolt speeds only on its top-tier iPhone 15 Pro models. Standard iPhone 15 models would be limited to USB 2.0. This segmentation strategy is familiar - Apple's iPad Air includes USB 3.1 support, while the pricier iPad Pro works with Thunderbolt.

It's a clever strategy that allows Apple to technically comply with the EU directive, while still maintaining a differentiated product line-up upselling consumers to its premium options. Given Apple's history of nickel-and-diming customers on accessories and adapters, it certainly seems plausible.

So while consumers may celebrate the long overdue transition to USB-C, in true Apple fashion they may need to pay extra to unlock the full experience. For now, the inclusion of USB-C in any form is a step forward toward interoperability and consumer convenience. But leave it to Apple to find a way to leverage even this concession into further lock-in and profits.