In a surprising turn of events, the upcoming iPhone 15 lineup might be embracing a significant change in connectivity, according to recent leaks.
TL;DR
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- Recent leaks suggest the iPhone 15 might feature Thunderbolt connectivity via a new USB-C port.
- Leaked images reveal a Retimer chip in the iPhone 15’s USB-C port, a component often seen in Thunderbolt devices.
- Whether this Thunderbolt support will be standard across all iPhone 15 models or exclusive to the higher-end variants remains unclear.

Thunderbolt Connectivity on the Horizon?
Rumors are swirling that Apple’s iPhone 15 series could feature Thunderbolt connectivity through its new USB-C port. A report from ChargerLab suggests that leaked images of the iPhone 15’s USB-C port reveal a Retimer chip, a component often found in Thunderbolt devices.
It lends weight to the speculation that Apple is transitioning from its Lightning port to USB-C for the iPhone 15.
Following an EU ruling that mandates all smartphones to adopt USB-C charging by the end of 2024, it has been widely speculated that Apple would need to revise its charging technology for future iPhones.
Recently leaked images of the iPhone 15’s USB-C port, featuring a mysterious extra chip, initially sparked concerns that Apple might restrict compatibility with certain accessories. However, this new leak suggests more optimistic news.
Thunderbolt over USB-C can support speeds of up to 40Gbps, a stark contrast to the 480Mbps cap of USB 2.0 on Lightning and the 10Gbps baseline for USB-C. It could be a major selling point for power users who frequently transfer large files, such as ProRes video clips.
Whether Thunderbolt support will be standard across all iPhone 15 models or reserved for the higher-end variants remains uncertain. While leaked images suggest a consistent USB-C connector across the iPhone 15 models, earlier leaks specifically hinted at Thunderbolt 3 support for the iPhone 15 Pro.
As the tech world eagerly awaits more concrete details, rumors suggest that Apple is set to unveil the iPhone 15 lineup on September 12 during an Apple September event. In addition to potential new charging capabilities, the iPhone 15 Pro is rumored to introduce an action button, while the standard iPhone 15 may receive a significant Dynamic Island upgrade.