Does the iPhone 15 use USB-C?

iPhone 15 and compatible USB-C devices from Apple
(Image credit: Apple)

Does the iPhone 15 use USB-C?

Yes, the iPhone 15 comes with a USB-C port. However, the version of USB-C is different on each iPhone 15 series model.

USB-C is here to stay and the iPhone 15 is proof of that

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iPhone 15 USB-C port

(Image credit: Apple)

Apple brought about a major change with the iPhone 15 family of devices, ditching the Lightning port in favor of the USB-C connector. Make no mistake, Apple still loves its ecosystem very much, but the switch opens iPhones up to a world of USB-C accessories. This is great for iOS users because they no longer have to buy expensive Lightning port accessories such as power banks and cables.

This wasn't exactly a generous move on Apple's part. If anything, the tech giant was forced into a corner thanks to an EU mandate, making it compulsory to switch to USB-C. Whatever the case, the world is overjoyed with the new change. Both manufacturers and consumers benefit from the move, although it will take time for the implications of the change to come into effect fully.

Now, it's important to know that USB-C is a connector, not a standard. The regular iPhone 15 and the iPhone 15 Plus come with the USB 2.0 standard released in 2000, which is pretty outdated and supports data transfers at up to 480Mbps.

Meanwhile, the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max models come with USB 3.2 Gen 2, which means they support data transfer speeds of up to 10Gbps. As stated by Apple on its product listings, this is around 20 times faster than the ancient USB 2.0 standard. For your reference, almost all Android phones these days come with at least USB 3.0 or higher. The Samsung Galaxy S23 is a great example, as it comes with USB 3.2. Even the Samsung Galaxy S20, a three-year-old device, used USB 3.2.

To learn more about USB-C and its various standards, we've got an excellent explainer that answers all your questions. Read our USB-C FAQ to fill in your knowledge gaps.

Namerah Saud Fatmi
Senior Editor — Accessories

Namerah enjoys geeking out over accessories, gadgets, and all sorts of smart tech. She spends her time guzzling coffee, writing, casual gaming, and cuddling with her furry best friends. Find her on Twitter @NamerahS.

  • fuzzylumpkin
    The response I originally typed and then deleted would get me in trouble lol.

    The reason why may surprise you...
    Reply
  • fivish#
    Not another plug!
    I have iPhone 4 with 30 pin plug, iPhone 13 pro with Lightning, Nokia C21+ with USB Micro, Sony Experia L3 with USB C. They all have a USB A at the other end of the cable and all plug into my 8 way smart charger (2.4A). The iPhone also has MagSafe wireless charging which needs a cable - Micro to A; hardly wireless!
    Reply