Apple released plenty of new features with the iPhone 16 series launched at their recent Glowtime event. Everything from Camera Control to iconic Thanos snap in Safari, and, of course, the new A18 chip’s performance. But there was one thing Apple conveniently skimmed over: the type of USB ports they’re using on the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro models.
Just like with the iPhone 15 series, Apple has decided to stick with USB 2.0 on the iPhone 16, while reserving the faster USB 3.2 for the Pro models. So how does this impact the data transfer speeds and who is it for? Let’s find out.
USB 2.0 vs. USB 3.2: What’s the Difference?
The biggest advantage USB 3.2 has over USB 2.0 is its transfer speed. With USB 3.2, you can get speeds up to 20 Gbps (though Apple has capped it at 10 Gbps on the iPhone Pro models). In contrast, USB 2.0 maxes out at just 480 Mbps. This means that if you’re rocking an iPhone 16 Pro, your data transfer speeds will be up to 20 times faster than the standard iPhone 16.
In practical terms, this means things like restoring your iPhone using iTunes or transferring large files like high-resolution photos or 4K/8K videos from your iPhone to a Mac will be way quicker on the Pro. And if you’re into shooting video, the iPhone 16 Pro also lets you record footage straight onto an external hard drive, which isn’t possible with the regular iPhone 16.
But There’s Still an Issue
Before you get too excited about your iPhone 16 Pro’s potential, there’s a catch. Even though the Pro model supports USB 3.2, Apple still gives you a USB 2.0 cable in the box. So, if you use that cable, your data transfers will be as slow as the regular iPhone 16. We put this to the test with an iPhone 16 and an iPhone 16 Pro Max, transferring a 10 GB 4K video to a Mac. Both devices were able to complete the task in about 4 minutes and 33 seconds.
In other words, to unlock those faster speeds on your Pro model, you’ll need to buy a separate USB Type-C cable that’s compatible with USB 3. And, Apple doesn’t sell a USB 3 cable, only a Thunderbolt 4 cable that also works with USB 3, but it costs $69. But don’t worry, you can find plenty of USB 3-compatible cables for much cheaper on Amazon.
What Are the USB Data Transfer Rates
Here’s a quick breakdown of the transfer speeds for each USB version:
- USB 2.0: 480 Mbps
- USB 3.0: 5 Gbps
- USB 3.1: 10 Gbps
- USB 3.2: 20 Gbps
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, this article has cleared up the USB situation on the iPhone 16 models. It’s a bit of a bummer that Apple hasn’t upgraded the standard iPhone 16 to USB 3.2, and they’re kind of nudging you to buy an extra cable if you want to enjoy those faster transfer speeds on the Pro models. Maybe, just maybe, we’ll see USB 3.2 across the board with the iPhone 17 lineup.
