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Apple iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max rumoured to gain 4K monitor and Thunderbolt 3 support

Apple is expected to make only minor visual changes between the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro. (Image source: 9to5Mac)
Apple is expected to make only minor visual changes between the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro. (Image source: 9to5Mac)
According to a new report, Apple's transition from Lightning to USB Type-C ports will bring more than just improved interoperability to the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. Purportedly, the change will also increase bandwidth by over 80x, allowing Apple to introduce features like external 4K monitor support.

Apple's adoption of USB Type-C ports across its iPhone 15 series is already well known, courtesy of various sources. However, leaker @analyst941 claims that the company plans to massively increase USB bandwidth with the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. As it stands, Apple's Lightning port restricts iPhones to the USB 2.0 standard, which peaks at 480 Mbps.

Allegedly, Apple will jump straight to Thunderbolt 3 connectivity for 40 Gbps throughput, rather than USB 3.2 at 5 Gbps. If that is the case, it would drastically reduce transfer times, which is becoming more pertinent when a minute's worth of 4K/60 FPS footage recorded in Apple ProRes 422 HQ takes up 5.5 GB of storage. Theoretically, iPhone 15 Pro models could complete this transfer in roughly a second, rather than 90 seconds over Lightning.

Moreover, Apple is expected to introduce external 4K monitor support. However, Apple may restrict transfer speeds to MFi-certified accessories though, as is the case with MagSafe accessories. Unfortunately, Apple will not be bringing equivalent functionality to the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, despite their usage of USB Type-C ports too. Currently, all iPhone 15 series models are tipped to debut in September, with an A17 Bionic SoC and titanium sides also headed to the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max.

(Image source: 9to5Mac)
(Image source: 9to5Mac)
(Image source: 9to5Mac)
(Image source: 9to5Mac)
(Image source: 9to5Mac)
(Image source: 9to5Mac)
(Image source: 9to5Mac)
(Image source: 9to5Mac)
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> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > News > News Archive > Newsarchive 2023 04 > Apple iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max rumoured to gain 4K monitor and Thunderbolt 3 support
Alex Alderson, 2023-04-27 (Update: 2023-04-27)