Apple’s iPhone 15 lineup is rumored to be the first to switch from Lightning to USB-C. However, a new leak suggests that Apple may be using a special chip to limit the compatibility of third-party USB-C cables with the iPhone 15.
The chip, which is called the 3LD3, is thought to be used for transmission encryption. This means that it could be used to protect data that is being transferred between the iPhone 15 and a USB-C cable. However, the chip could also be used to limit the charging speed of third-party cables.
If Apple does use the 3LD3 chip to limit the compatibility of third-party cables, it would mean that consumers would need to purchase official Apple cables to charge their iPhone 15s. This could be seen as a way for Apple to recoup the lost revenue from accessory manufacturers, as it would no longer be able to charge royalties for the use of the Lightning port.
It is also possible that the 3LD3 chip is simply a security measure to prevent hackers from stealing data from iPhone 15s. If this is the case, then third-party cables would still be compatible with the iPhone 15.
Ultimately, it is not yet clear what the 3LD3 chip is actually used for. However, the fact that it is present on the iPhone 15’s USB-C flex cable suggests that it could play a role in limiting the compatibility of third-party cables.
