Following the EU’s recent passage of a law requiring USB-C as the common charging port for mobile devices by 2024, it is now Apple’s turn to comply. This means replacing the beloved Lightning port on the iPhone with a USB-C port.
However, it appears that the company is once again using a clever tactic to micromanage its iPhones within its own products. A recent leak of the iPhone 15 Plus’ USB-C port component shows an Apple-made ‘3LD3’ chip.
You can see the packaged chip on the iPhone 15 series. The model is 3LD3. Because it is a self-designed chip, the function cannot be judged by the model. Judging from the same type of plastic packaged chips in the past, it may be the setting of transmission encryption. pic.twitter.com/YSM1guM3n9
— Majin Bu (@MajinBuOfficial) August 14, 2023
While it is unclear whether this chip is solely for security or impose limitations, the leaker Majin Bu has a theory. That the chip may serve as transmission encryption—providing encryption features to protect the iPhone from data compromise.
At the same time, the chip may hinder USB-C’s functionality and prevent it from reaching its full potential on the iPhone.
Tech analyst Ming-Chi Kuo previously revealed that users of the iPhone 15 USB-C may need to use Apple-certified cables in order to enjoy faster charging. This supports the possibility that the 3LD3 chip is able to identify an Apple USB-C cable and compatible adapters.
Thus, users may not get the full functionality using third-party USB-C cables.
Apple is expected to unveil its iPhone 15 series next month. We should know soon enough if these speculations are true. However, given the “Apple way,” it is more likely that they will come to fruition.
