It's pretty much etched in stone that the forthcoming iPhone 15 lineup will toss out the Lightning port currently used for charging and data transfer for a USB-C port. The move isn't voluntary and is a result of a new European Union rule which makes the USB Type-C charging port mandatory for smartphones. Majin Bu, a leaker with a mixed track record, has shared a series of images that tell us more about the charging components.
The leaked images, which were posted on X, apparently show the iPhone 15 Plus' charging components. One thing that stands out is an Apple-made 3LD3 chip. Although Majin Bu isn't entirely sure about the functionality of the in-house chip, he theorizes that it may be used for transmission encryption.
While that's still not enough information, it looks like the chip will enable encryption features to protect iPhone data against compromise. Additionally, the chip might be used to limit charging speeds.
Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo revealed back in May that users would have to use certified cables to enjoy faster charging speeds on the iPhone 15 so it's possible that the 3LD3 chip will be used to distinguish between an Apple-certified cable and other compatible adapters. Before that, in February, another trusted leaker known as ShrimpApplePro said that third-party cables "will be software limited in data and charging speed."
In short, even though the USB-C cables you have lying around in your house will probably be compatible with the iPhone 15 series, you might need to use a made-for iPhone USB-C cable to get full functionality.
Apple will reportedly unveil the iPhone 15 series next month and it's looking increasingly likely that the Pro models will be more expensive than their predecessors owing to the use of titanium, improved lenses, the 3nm A17 Bionic chip, thinner bezels, and a 6x periscope camera for the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Anam Hamid is a computer scientist turned tech journalist who has a keen interest in the tech world, with a particular focus on smartphones and tablets. She has previously written for Android Headlines and has also been a ghostwriter for several tech and car publications. Anam is not a tech hoarder and believes in using her gadgets for as long as possible. She is concerned about smartphone addiction and its impact on future generations, but she also appreciates the convenience that phones have brought into our lives. Anam is excited about technological advancements like folding screens and under-display sensors, and she often wonders about the future of technology. She values the overall experience of a device more than its individual specs and admires companies that deliver durable, high-quality products. In her free time, Anam enjoys reading, scrolling through Reddit and Instagram, and occasionally refreshing her programming skills through tutorials.
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