USB-C on iPhone 15 might still require MFi certified cables
The EU's new law about USB-C is intended to make all charging cables interchangeable, but an iffy rumor about the iPhone 15 says Apple will put its own spin on what that means.
New regulations requiring a common charging standard, specifically USB-C, were finalized by the European Union in October 2022. The date the law comes into affect, plus what devices it applies to, means that the iPhone 15 may have USB-C, but the iPhone 17 will definitely have to have it.
Now an unverifiable rumor posted on Chinese social media site Weibo says that Apple may stick to the letter of the law, but not the spirit of it.
"Apple has made its own type C, lightning interface IC which will be used on this year's new iPhone and MFI-certified peripherals," posted a user calling himself or herself Mobile Phone Chip Expert.
"MFI" in this case, stand for Apple's "Made for iPhone" certification program. In the program, Apple approves accessories, sells parts like connectors, and provides a chip for authentication purposes. As long ago as 2014, Apple cut the fees it charged for this licensing system, and it's now little known -- but still in force.
"The program gives you access to the technical specifications and resources needed to create accessories that communicate with Apple devices using MFi technologies and components," says the current version of Apple's "Made for iPhone" page.
If the Weibo poster is correct, it's possible that Apple will require USB-C cables that have been certified through the MFI program. When a user tries to connect a USB-C cable that is not certified, they may be told that it's not certified, and be limited in power delivery, data speed, or both.
But, there is already USB-C charging on the iPad lineup. There is no sign of any similar limitation on which cables can be used for that.
AppleInsider has previously criticized EU lawmakers for how this new rule is drafted, and Apple has argued that it will create more e-waste. But the aim is to make a common standard, not to have manufacturers work around it.
The leaker in question has no history, and the claims that they make about experience in the industry are impossible to confirm. Apple's MFi program has shrunk in earnings importance over the years, and as previously mentioned, there's nothing enforcing it for chargers and USB-C cables on the iPad lineup.
Read on AppleInsider
New regulations requiring a common charging standard, specifically USB-C, were finalized by the European Union in October 2022. The date the law comes into affect, plus what devices it applies to, means that the iPhone 15 may have USB-C, but the iPhone 17 will definitely have to have it.
Now an unverifiable rumor posted on Chinese social media site Weibo says that Apple may stick to the letter of the law, but not the spirit of it.
"Apple has made its own type C, lightning interface IC which will be used on this year's new iPhone and MFI-certified peripherals," posted a user calling himself or herself Mobile Phone Chip Expert.
"MFI" in this case, stand for Apple's "Made for iPhone" certification program. In the program, Apple approves accessories, sells parts like connectors, and provides a chip for authentication purposes. As long ago as 2014, Apple cut the fees it charged for this licensing system, and it's now little known -- but still in force.
"The program gives you access to the technical specifications and resources needed to create accessories that communicate with Apple devices using MFi technologies and components," says the current version of Apple's "Made for iPhone" page.
If the Weibo poster is correct, it's possible that Apple will require USB-C cables that have been certified through the MFI program. When a user tries to connect a USB-C cable that is not certified, they may be told that it's not certified, and be limited in power delivery, data speed, or both.
But, there is already USB-C charging on the iPad lineup. There is no sign of any similar limitation on which cables can be used for that.
AppleInsider has previously criticized EU lawmakers for how this new rule is drafted, and Apple has argued that it will create more e-waste. But the aim is to make a common standard, not to have manufacturers work around it.
The leaker in question has no history, and the claims that they make about experience in the industry are impossible to confirm. Apple's MFi program has shrunk in earnings importance over the years, and as previously mentioned, there's nothing enforcing it for chargers and USB-C cables on the iPad lineup.
Read on AppleInsider
Comments
If Apple throws up warnings or limits performance in some way for non-licences items, then market forces will either lead to people accepting the situation or see them getting fed up with it.
Personally, I would be surprised to see Apple go down that road if no other USB-C implementation on Apple devices suffers from the rumored 'requirements'.
The job of an editor is to NOT print everything. Transparency does not mean repeating transparently dubious articles.
That's not the issue. The issue is the other side. Apple attempting to subvert the standards of USB-C can make them liable for any damages or violations. When a company sells a cable that is causing the fires or malfunction, the company is likely not following the specs set by USB-C. That is why all USB-C cables MUST follow the specs or they can be sued or shut down.
Apple's cables are cheap - they fray all the time.
2) is there any possibility the phone security may be compromised and apple is building their own version for that (and possibly other) scenario(s)?
You will not have full capabilities of USB-C/Thunderbolt on any phone, Apple or otherwise. You are not going to be able to pump a full 100W in to a phone, even with a full capable cable and charger. the phone cannot handle the heat and the battery will not last long. Similarly, you are not going to get full USB-4 or Thunderbolt speeds out or in to the phone. You need the right chips, and the chips must have the bandwidth.
As for this MFI USBC rumor, I was expecting it. It's just going to be a "superset" of the USBC standard, which is already hyper convoluted with its support of a gazillion different protocols. It will be Apple's way of guaranteeing a cable will work with iPhones. There will be USBC cables out there that won't be compatible. If the Pro models support Thunderbolt, which I'm expecting, that definitely means there will be USBC cables that won't support TB or other power profiles.