New iPhone 15 Pro CAD leaks have exposed Apple’s biggest generational design changes. Now we just got our first photographic evidence of the most talked about upgrade.
Apple insider Unknownz21has posted a close-up photo of what they claim to be the USB-C port on the iPhone 15 Pro, “no imagination or rendering required.” Unknownz21 has a superb track record, once even sourcing an early version of iOS 14 months ahead of release.
Leaked photo of alledgedly showing curvier iPhone 15 and its new USB-C port
The USB-C port is also not the only point of interest in this photo. Look closely and the unfinished brushed material of the phone looks suspiciously like titanium. This extremely hard yet very light metal is tipped to replace the stainless steel chassis on iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max models. The photos also show curvier edges, something recent iPhone 15 Pro renders have leaked in detail.
But it’s not all good news. When it comes to USB-C, Apple is expected to bring some controversial elements to its implementation. First, USB-C performance is expected to differ wildly between iPhone 15 Pro and standard models. Second, Apple is tipped to install an authenticator chip controlling their USB-C ports.
As we have seen with Lightning, an authenticator chip would require all third-party cables and accessories to pass Apple’s MFi certification program. This comes with a cost to manufacturers (and consequently customers) because Apple can limit the performance of uncertified accessories or even stop them from working altogether.
Renders based on leaked CAD files align witht he rounder iPhone seen in the first photo leak
It is worth noting that Apple did not install an authenticator chip in the USB-C ports of MacBooks and iPads, but — as its biggest cash cow — Apple tends to treat the iPhone differently. After all, MacBooks have been using USB-C since 2015 and iPads since 2018, but USB-C leaks for the iPhone only gathered pace following EU law changes last year.
Regardless of the motivation, 2023 is shaping up to be a pivotal year in the iPhone’s evolution. Apple is betting big on changes to the chassis, display, ports and buttonsas well as a new pricing structure that will drive further differentiation between iPhone Pro and standard models. If you’ve been waiting to upgrade, this could be your year.
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