The iPhone 15 Pro, unveiled by Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) on Tuesday, will support USB 3 data transfer speeds for the first time. However, customers won't be able to experience these higher speeds right out of the box due to Apple's decision to bundle a USB 2.0 cable with the device.
The USB-C port on the iPhone 15 Pro is capable of data transfer speeds up to 10 Gbits per second, according to Apple's announcement. This is a significant upgrade from the USB 2.0 speeds of 480 Mbits per second that the bundled cable supports. To unlock this higher speed, users will need to purchase an optional USB 3 cable.
Apple stated during its keynote that "a new USB controller enables USB 3 speeds on iPhone for the first time, now supporting much higher transfer speeds and video output up to 4K at 60 fps HDR". Despite this advancement, the company has chosen to ship a USB 2.0 cable with a type-C port with each device.
The company currently offers a Thunderbolt 4 cable on its site for $69, which can unlock these higher data transfer speeds. However, there may also be third-party vendors offering compatible cables in the future.
In addition to the new iPhones, Apple is launching a range of USB-C accessories, including charging cables with higher wattage and a USB-C to lightning dongle. Consumers looking for improved performance over the standard USB-C cable provided will need to invest in these additional products.
While the iPhone 15 also supports a USB-C port, it only offers USB 2.0 speeds. This distinction between the two models marks another step in Apple's ongoing strategy to differentiate its flagship Pro models from the standard offerings.
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