4 ms·

I wonder if other companies will follow Apple in crippling USB-C. https://www.xda-developers.com/iphone-15-models-different-usb-c-ports/ https://www.xda-develo

I wonder if other companies will follow Apple in crippling USB-C. https://www.xda-developers.com/iphone-15-models-different-usb-c-ports/ https://www.xda-developers.com/iphone-15-models-different-us...

wongarsu 4y ago
It's apparently still par for the course in cheaper laptops, like having USB-C ports without Thunderbolt or without Display Port alt mode. I'm more surprised Apple didn't just remove the connector from the cheaper models, claiming inductive charging and bluetooth are all anyone needs.
- senorrib 4y ago
  They still need to sell accessories.
- ThatPlayer 4y ago
  Last I checked even Google's Pixel phones will not support DisplayPort alt-modes. Probably to sell you Chromecasts. Though some research now seems to suggest it supports DisplayLink over USB.
cesarb 4y ago
Not using an optional part of the standard is not "crippling" USB-C. And yes, I believe there are already Android phones which have only USB 2, or only USB 2 plus Gen 1x1 (5 Gbit/s) USB 3.
- themitigating 4y ago
  Why would a phone need to transfer faster than 5gbit? That's around 625MB/s (theoretically).
ThatPlayer 4y ago
I believe that's more an issue with the SoC not supporting USB 3. If the iPhone 15 base models re-use the same SoC as the iPhone 14 Pro (like the base iPhone 14s do), then those SoCs were probably never developed to support USB 3 in the first place. They've previously used external USB 3 host controllers to support USB 3 host, but not client. I believe the iPad Mini 6, and the iPad Air 4 both do this: https://unitedlex.com/insights/apple-ipad-2020-teardown-analysis/ https://unitedlex.com/insights/apple-ipad-2020-teardown-anal... . So while the product specs will say USB 3.1 and that is technically true, it'll only be for USB devices, not for a connection to a computer: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/ipad-mini-6-is-still-usb2-0-when-connect-to-mac.2313014/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/ipad-mini-6-is-still-us... . Adding that USB 3 host in an iPhone would be a bit pointless: I doubt anyone is going to hook up a USB drive to their phone. Funny enough I had this idea because the Raspberry Pi 4 does the same thing: SoC that only supports a USB 2.0 client while using an external USB 3.0 host controller.

wongarsu 4y ago

It's apparently still par for the course in cheaper laptops, like having USB-C ports without Thunderbolt or without Display Port alt mode. I'm more surprised Apple didn't just remove the connector from the cheaper models, claiming inductive charging and bluetooth are all anyone needs.

senorrib 4y ago
They still need to sell accessories.
ThatPlayer 4y ago
Last I checked even Google's Pixel phones will not support DisplayPort alt-modes. Probably to sell you Chromecasts. Though some research now seems to suggest it supports DisplayLink over USB.

cesarb 4y ago

Not using an optional part of the standard is not "crippling" USB-C. And yes, I believe there are already Android phones which have only USB 2, or only USB 2 plus Gen 1x1 (5 Gbit/s) USB 3.

themitigating 4y ago
Why would a phone need to transfer faster than 5gbit? That's around 625MB/s (theoretically).

ThatPlayer 4y ago

I believe that's more an issue with the SoC not supporting USB 3. If the iPhone 15 base models re-use the same SoC as the iPhone 14 Pro (like the base iPhone 14s do), then those SoCs were probably never developed to support USB 3 in the first place. They've previously used external USB 3 host controllers to support USB 3 host, but not client. I believe the iPad Mini 6, and the iPad Air 4 both do this: https://unitedlex.com/insights/apple-ipad-2020-teardown-analysis/ https://unitedlex.com/insights/apple-ipad-2020-teardown-anal... . So while the product specs will say USB 3.1 and that is technically true, it'll only be for USB devices, not for a connection to a computer: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/ipad-mini-6-is-still-usb2-0-when-connect-to-mac.2313014/ https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/ipad-mini-6-is-still-us... . Adding that USB 3 host in an iPhone would be a bit pointless: I doubt anyone is going to hook up a USB drive to their phone. Funny enough I had this idea because the Raspberry Pi 4 does the same thing: SoC that only supports a USB 2.0 client while using an external USB 3.0 host controller.