The iPhone 15 is being broadly tipped to swap the Lightning port of previous handsets for USB-C – not least due to regulatory stress in Europe – however a brand new rumor means that this port may find yourself being restricted when it comes to what it is able to.

As per a supply on Chinese language social media web site Weibo (opens in new tab) (by way of MacRumors (opens in new tab)), the USB-C port on the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Professional gadgets will likely be fitted with an built-in circuit holding an authenticator chip, so peripherals could be checked for his or her compatibility.

In different phrases, we may get a scenario the place solely Apple-approved chargers and different equipment really work with the iPhone 15. That is how the present iPhone Lightning port connection works too – it has an authenticator chip in it.

No iPad precedent

It is value noting that the USB-C port that Apple has been becoming to its iPads lately does not include any type of restrictions, so that you’re free to plug in no matter you want – assuming that it has been constructed to work with these tablets.

After all that is all hypothesis off the again of an unconfirmed rumor, so do not take this as wherever close to sure simply but. It is one thing to look out for in September although, when the iPhone 15 with USB-C is anticipated to make its debut.

There has additionally been discuss that the USB-C port on the iPhone 15 Professional fashions goes to supply quicker information switch speeds than the identical port on the cheaper iPhone 15 gadgets – until Apple decides to delay the transition till 2024 and the iPhone 16.

Evaluation: taking extra management

Contemplating there was an authenticator chip contained in the iPhone for years, checking up on the peripherals you are plugging into it, it will maybe be no shock if Apple determined to comply with the identical technique because it switches its telephones over to USB-C.

On the one hand, customers could also be dissatisfied at being pushed in the direction of a selected listing of equipment: it is potential that these equipment will likely be costlier, whereas helpful and modern peripherals get omitted as a result of they do not have approval.

However, Apple’s perspective will likely be that this allows the iPhone to guard itself from being plugged into something that is decrease high quality and even harmful. In relation to charging cables, for instance, it is vital to know they’re going to work safely.

At this stage we simply do not know – it might be that any peripheral will work, however non-certified ones will not have entry to all of the options of the USB-C port. Alternatively, the iPhone may get an iPad-style USB-C port with out an authenticator chip connected.

• Apple confirms that future iPhones may have USB-C, at the least in some locations