

I'm as excited about the iPhone 15 as anyone, because we're expecting some significant upgrades to the hardware – especially in the iPhone 15 Pro model. But one of the changes could be a bit disappointing. According to industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the USB-C port that's replacing the Lightning ports of the iPhone 14 will support fast charging – but Apple may limit the feature to its own accessories and accessories from firms who pay for Made for iPhone certification.
That's a problem for two reasons. One, it means that any existing USB-C cables or USB-C chargers you've got won't let you charge at full speed if they're not Apple ones. And two, it means you'll have to pay more for your cables because Made For iPhone certification isn't free.
What's the problem with USB-C in the iPhone 15?
Depending on who you talk to, the Made For iPhone programme is either a way of ensuring that accessories for Apple products meet the highest possible standards – or it's a way for Apple to get money from suppliers without really doing anything.
I'm in the latter camp, because Apple's insistence on certification has caused problems in the past; one of the reasons HomeKit isn't a bigger deal is because Apple's initial insistence on certification via an authentication chip meant that HomeKit products cost a lot more than rival smart home products.
It's also against the spirit of the EU legislation behind Apple's move to USB-C. The whole point of a standard charging platform was to reduce electronic waste and boost competition, but if Apple is artificially limiting iPhone charging to a subset of USB devices then that's not helping with either objective.
I'm not saying that it's okay for the market to be flooded with highly flammable cables from faraway factories churning out cheapies to sell on auction sites. But that's not really an issue on Android, so I don't see why it'd be any more of an issue on iPhone.
I'm already drowning in high quality cables and adapters from reputable manufacturers, and it seems awfully anti-consumer to tell us that we need to go out and buy brand new ones so that Apple can make a few more dollars when the ones we've got are perfectly good. This is definitely one area where, if the reports are true, I'd urge Apple to think different.
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
Writer, musician and broadcaster Carrie Marshall has been covering technology since 1998 and is particularly interested in how tech can help us live our best lives. Her CV is a who’s who of magazines, newspapers, websites and radio programmes ranging from T3, Techradar and MacFormat to the BBC, Sunday Post and People’s Friend. Carrie has written more than a dozen books, ghost-wrote two more and co-wrote seven more books and a Radio 2 documentary series; her memoir, Carrie Kills A Man, was shortlisted for the British Book Awards. When she’s not scribbling, Carrie is the singer in Glaswegian rock band Unquiet Mind (unquietmindmusic).
-
Nextbase Piqo Dash Cam review: compact but clever
The Nextbase Piqo is a condensed edition of the brand’s premium iQ model with many of the same features
By Rob Clymo Published
-
I put Therabody's affordable recovery boots to test and I prefer them over pricier models
The JetBoot's Prime from Therabody may be cheaper than other models, but they still pack a punch
By Bryony Firth-Bernard Published
-
Your iPhone tipped to get a seismic upgrade with iOS 19 – the biggest in many years
It's said to be the most significant overhaul in over a decade
By Sam Cross Published
-
Google Maps design update finally comes to iPhone after Android owners have enjoyed it for months
It should make one-handed use much easier
By Britta O'Boyle Published
-
I tried Apple’s latest budget iPhone and it’s more than enough phone for most people
Forget the 16, the iPhone 16e is the model that most people will end up buying, and I can see why
By Mat Gallagher Published
-
MacBook Air M4 ups the power, battery life and is surprisingly cheaper
Apple announces a new MacBook Air with a big upgrade to M4 processing
By Rik Henderson Published
-
There's an ingenious and cheap way to make sure you never lose your camera
If you're worried about losing your expensive camera, this little device could help
By Chris Hall Published
-
Photoshop's getting a surprise free upgrade on iPhone – and Android's next
The full experience is coming to mobile
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
5 must-know iPhone 16e facts and how it compares to iPhone 16
Apple's newest iPhone is an interesting addition
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
Apple's "Google Lens" update is confirmed for older iPhones too, but there's a small catch
Visual Intelligence is Apple's answer to Google Lens and it'll soon be available on iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max
By Rik Henderson Published