The iPhone 15 lineup is expected to forgo the decade-old Lightning port in favor of USB-C, and a new report from ChargerLAB suggests that Apple could equip its upcoming iPhone generation with Thunderbolt speeds thanks to the new connector.
ChargerLAB owes its suggestion to a series of leaked images shared earlier this month on X depicting the alleged USB-C port alongside flex logic board cables for the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, and iPhone 15 Pro Max. After careful inspections of the images, ChargerLAB was able to point out a “mysterious” component that the publication identified as a retimer IC chip.
The retimer is an essential component in devices that support Thunderbolt and USB4 connectivity with a bandwidth of up to 40Gbps, as the chip’s main function involves signal reconstruction and mitigation of signal jitter. ChargerLAB claims that the chip is typically present in most devices that support Thunderbolt/USB4 peripherals, as this chip enhances the stability of signal transmission in high-bandwidth data ports, allowing extended transmission ranges.
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According to the report, the retimer chip is found on PCBs designated for at least three of the four iPhone 15 models pegged to be announced next month, suggesting that Thunderbolt connectivity might not be limited to the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max after all. Of course, ChargerLAB could be mistaken in its analysis that Thunderbolt is also heading for the base iPhone 15, especially since the report is basing its evidence on low-resolution images that could ultimately be fake.
iPhone 15 Specs
The iPhone 15 announcement could be a little under a month away, and more and more details are making their way to the public. The base iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus are expected to receive Dynamic Island, first introduced on the iPhone 14 Pro last year. The company is also rumored to expand the 48MP main camera sensor to the non-Pro iPhone 15 models alongside other camera improvements.
On the other hand, the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max will introduce several exclusive features, including a periscope zoom lens on the iPhone 15 Pro Max, significantly thinner bezels thanks to a new LIPO process, a new titanium chassis with subtly curved edges to replace stainless steel, Action Button in lieu of the mute switch, and the next-generation 3nm A17 Bionic chip.
