Three iPhone 15 models rumored to get Thunderbolt/USB4 connector

Render of the expected iPhone 15 Pro chassis design. (Source: AppleInsider)

Yet more leaked images of USB-C components for the iPhone 15 range appear to show that at least three models will have full Thunderbolt speeds.

If the long-running rumors that the iPhone 15 range would switch from Lightning to USB-C connectors weren't enough, then the EU demanding it happen soon should be. Apple is going to switch to USB-C for the iPhone, it is only a question of when — and now yet more evidence says it will be with the iPhone 15.

Following one apparently fake image of USB-C components, one more likely image, and then one seemingly likely leak, there is now more. According to ChargerLab, new component images reveal what's claimed to be a controller chip that indicates Thunderbolt/USB4.

Three USB-C components appear to show a small extra chip that could indicate Thunderbolt/USB4 is supported (Source: ChargerLab)

"In addition to the revelation of the iPhone 15's port design, a mysterious IC is faintly visible behind the USB-C female socket," says the site. "Upon magnification, it becomes apparent that this IC is a Retimer chip."

"This suggests that multiple models within the iPhone 15 series will support Thunderbolt/USB4's high-speed 40Gbps data transmission," it continues.

ChargerLab has examined three leaked images and found the apparent Retimer chip on all of them. So it appears that at least three iPhone 15 models will get USB-C with Thunderbolt's 40Gbps high-speed data transmission capabilities.

If Apple again produces four models of iPhone, it's hard to see one that warrant failing to have the speed. Previously it had been rumored that Thunderbolt speeds would be exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro models.

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48 Comments

tmay 6348 comments · 11 Years

About 8 months ago

"Apple demonstrates to the EU how artisanal lemonade is made"

daveflash 14 comments · 15 Years

this to me points to only one thing: Apple finally taking the EU seriously for once and also taking their previous letter of complaint that "any artificial (software) limitations the common port" are "not in line with the regulation" to heart. thus acting accordingly, so my suspicion is that all iPhone 15's will have fast data transfer and fast charging / power delivery / quick charge etc.

In the end this is better for the user, and in the long run better for the planet.
If only USA could catch up to the laws and regulations of the EU on these things....

mayfly 385 comments · 1 Year

"This suggests that multiple models within the iPhone 15 series will support Thunderbolt/USB4's high-speed 40Gbps data transmission,"

What are people doing on their iPhones that would benefit from 40Gbps data transmission bandwidth?

muthuk_vanalingam 1334 comments · 8 Years

mayfly said:

"This suggests that multiple models within the iPhone 15 series will support Thunderbolt/USB4's high-speed 40Gbps data transmission,"

What are people doing on their iPhones that would benefit from 40Gbps data transmission bandwidth?

Transferring 4K videos taken using iPhones to their Macs?

daveflash said:

this to me points to only one thing: Apple finally taking the EU seriously for once and also taking their previous letter of complaint that "any artificial (software) limitations the common port" are "not in line with the regulation" to heart. thus acting accordingly, so my suspicion is that all iPhone 15's will have fast data transfer and fast charging / power delivery / quick charge etc.

In the end this is better for the user, and in the long run better for the planet.
If only USA could catch up to the laws and regulations of the EU on these things....

If Apple does indeed include TB4 in iPhones, it is certainly because it waited as long as possible to comply with the EU mandate. Will definitely be worth the wait.

Not sure if it makes all that much difference to the planet, since a 2 gram Lightning to Type C adapter would have accomplished the same result, but yeah, in the long run, TB4 will definitely be better for Apple users.