Apple’s new iPhone 15 models will be rounder, faster and more expensive, according to the latest leaks. But their most requested feature now seems to be coming with an unpleasant surprise.
Respected Apple insider ShrimpApplePro has confirmed leaked last month that Apple will lock the USB-C port on all iPhone 15 models. The leaker says that “Yes usb-c with MFI is happening” and “Cables without MFI will be software limited in data and charging speed.”
This will amaze Apple fans and industry observers because 1) USB-C is supposed to be an open standard and 2) Apple introduced USB-C to iPads and MacBooks without any restrictions.
For those unaware of MFi, it stands for ‘Made For iPhone/iPod/iPad’ and is Apple’s official licensing program for accessories for these devices. Royalties associated with MFi certification are not disclosed, but were previously reported to cost as much as $4 per This is why MFi licensed accessories cost significantly more than their unlicensed counterparts.
Apple keeps manufacturers in line by installing an authentication chip on ports that can even limit or disable the accessory entirely. A pop-up message also warns owners that an unlicensed accessory is connected.
This will be a blow as USB-C opens the door for iPhones to introduce much faster charging and data speeds, and leaks claim that iPhone 15 Pro models will deliver over 40x faster performance. But now apparently only via MFi approved accessories. Not the most eco-friendly option for anyone who already has a drawer full of USB-C cables.
ShrimpApplePro reports that Foxconn has already begun mass production of MFI-licensed accessories, including Apple’s own EarPods and cables. While iPhone fans will hardly consider this news a dealbreaker, I doubt it’s how industry observers and EU lawmakers expected USB-C to be implemented by the world’s largest smartphone maker.
Apple’s iPhone 15 series is expected to launch in September with a more rounded design, new chassis materials and colors, solid-state buttons, next-generation WiFi and a 3nm A17 chipset. But also noticeably higher prices.
03/04 Update: anticipation is building around the next-generation A17 chipset, exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. The A17 will be Apple’s first 3nm chipset and the first consumer-focused 3nm chip ever released, with only Samsung’s crypto-centric ‘Gate-All-Around’ chips beating it to market.
Now, That’s what DigiTimes writes that Apple partner “TSMC’s N3E (3nm enhanced) technology will enable significant specification upgrades in the upcoming iPhone lineup, the sources said. Suppliers involved in the iPhone supply chain expect replacement demand for the 2023 models.”
Chipsets alone don’t often drive customer demand, with flashier upgrades like external design changes and camera upgrades grabbing customers’ attention. That said, the vendors could be right here if 3nm can live up to some of the bigger claims about its benefits.
In particular, 3nm is said to be 35% more power efficient than the 5nm ‘N4’ manufacturing process used to make the A16 chips inside the iPhone 14 Pro models, as well as delivering higher performance. In addition, Apple is believed to have bought all orders for TSMC’s first generation 3nm technology, so competitors can wait a while to catch up. Watch this space.
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