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If you’ve been following Apple for the past couple of years, you’ve surely been enraptured in the USB-C saga. Enough will they, won’t they, it seems the EU’s mandate that all smartphones in the region will have to include USB-C has finally struck Apple.
Popular leaker ShrimpApplePro has reported that ‘USB-C with MFI is happening’ and that ‘Foxconn [is] already in mass production’ for peripherals and cables alike. There’s little substance to the rumor aside from the source themselves being a reliable leaker, so we’re taking this information with a grain of salt.
It seems as though the iPhone 15 will likely be the first of Apple’s phones to feature USB-C, and while that’s not entirely bad news – it seems that the Apple community is rightly divided by this turn of events.
After the leak made its way to the rumor mill, the first place we thought to turn, Reddit, turned out to be the most amusing. Commenter aa2051 said: “Apple, uh, finds a way,” while Puzzleheaded_Read959 retorted with this: “Introducing … USB-C Purple. Unlock the untapped potential of USB-C for only $60 for 1m cable or $110 for 3m cable.“
It seems as though these comments had long since been prepared, as the Apple community had been chattering about the inclusion of USB-C in the iPhone 15 for a while now. Although, they had always expected it to include the MFI locks that are now rumoured.
However, while some Apple fans have found themselves frustrated at this alleged change, others have been receiving it warmly. In particular, on the above Reddit thread, no-office-required said the following, ‘how anyone can see this as anything but a good thing is beyond me.’
What is USB-C with MFI and why are fans split on its potential inclusion?
Currently, iPhones ship with the Lightning port. This is Apple’s chosen method of data and power delivery, though as mentioned before, this has caused quite a stir across regions that are demanding that devices use a standardised method of power.
The EU, for example, are enforcing regulations stipulating that all smartphones sold in 2024 must have USB-C. This causes problems for Apple, whose Lightning port disregards this. It seems as though Apple’s workaround to this issue is to include MFI software and hardware locks.
Read More: Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs iPhone 14 Pro Max – which one should you pick
MFI stands for – Made for iPhone. Apple’s licensing oversees manufacturers and ensures that products are up-to-standard, which is a really good thing for anyone worried that a faulty cable could ruin their phone. But, for those who might not be able to afford MFI standard USB-C cables, it poises a new problem.
Apple have found a way to limit compatibility between USB-C and iPhones, effectively monopolizing the cable industry.
The way technology is moving, a complete adoption of USB-C makes nothing but sense. However, the arguments defending the Lightning port are the following:
- Lightning port contains tabs on the cable
- USB-C connecting tabs are inside the device
- Therefore, faulty tabs could potentially damage the USB-C device, whereas for Lightning, only the cable is damaged.
Read More: Best USB-C Cable!
Sects of the Apple community are rightly opposed to this, although at this point, Apple can do as they please. Lightning vs USB-C has been a hotly contested topic for a while now, and the launches of Apple’s next phones including the rumored iPhone 15 Ultra and iPhone 15 Pro Max might just put this issue to rest.
We’re going to be keeping an eye out for the latest updates on the iPhone 15 and related devices, so make sure to check back in with us periodically for the latest Apple updates.
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