The standard iPhone 15 marked Apple’s historic switch from Lightning to USB-C across the entire iPhone lineup. Data transfer is limited to USB 2.0 speeds (480 Mbps), which can feel slow when offloading 48MP photos or lengthy 4K videos. Despite the USB 2.0 data cap, the port supports native DisplayPort output up to 4K HDR for connecting to external monitors and TVs. Fast charging reaches about 50% in 30 minutes with a 20W+ USB-C power adapter.
phone Devices
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max (2023)
Apple’s 2023 flagship was the first iPhone with USB-C and USB 3 speeds, delivering 10 Gbps data transfer through its USB 3.2 Gen 2 port — a game-changer for ProRes 4K video workflows. Native DisplayPort alt mode outputs up to 4K HDR to external displays directly over USB-C. The included USB-C cable only supports USB 2.0 speeds, so you’ll need a separate USB 3 cable to unlock full transfer performance. Fast charging reaches 50% in about 35 minutes with a 20W or higher USB-C adapter.
The standard iPhone 16 brings USB-C to Apple’s mainstream lineup with a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display and the A18 chip. Data speeds are capped at USB 2.0 (480 Mbps) — a frustrating bottleneck when transferring large 48MP photos or 4K video. Despite the slow data speed, the USB-C port does support native DisplayPort output up to 4K HDR for connecting to external displays. Fast charging reaches 50% in about 30 minutes with a 20W+ USB-C power adapter.
The smaller Pro model packs the same A18 Pro chip and USB 3.2 Gen 2 connectivity as the Pro Max into a more pocketable 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR display. Data transfers hit 10 Gbps over USB-C — twenty times faster than the standard iPhone 16 — making it practical for offloading 4K ProRes video to a Mac. Native DisplayPort output pushes up to 4K HDR to external displays via a single USB-C cable. You’ll need to buy a USB 3 cable separately, as the one in the box only supports USB 2.0 speeds.
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max (2024)
Apple’s largest flagship phone features a 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display and the A18 Pro chip with hardware-accelerated ray tracing. The USB-C port runs at USB 3.2 Gen 2 speeds (10 Gbps), making large ProRes 4K video transfers practical — but you’ll need a USB 3 cable since the included one is USB 2.0 only. Native DisplayPort output over USB-C pushes up to 4K HDR to external monitors without an adapter chip. Fast charging hits 50% in about 30 minutes with a 20W+ USB-C adapter.
Apple iPhone SE 4th Gen (2025)
Rebranded as the iPhone 16e, this budget-friendly iPhone finally brings Face ID, a 6.1-inch OLED display, and USB-C to Apple’s most affordable smartphone. The USB-C port runs at USB 2.0 speeds (480 Mbps) and notably lacks DisplayPort video output — making it the only current USB-C iPhone that cannot connect to external displays. It’s powered by the A18 chip with 8GB RAM, enabling full Apple Intelligence features. Fast charging reaches 50% in about 30 minutes with a 20W+ adapter.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (2024)
Samsung’s 2024 premium flagship sports a 6.8-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED display with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and a built-in S Pen. The USB-C port runs at USB 3.2 Gen 1 speeds (5 Gbps) with DisplayPort 1.2 alt mode for connecting external monitors and running Samsung DeX. Wired fast charging maxes out at 45W with a compatible PD charger, though Samsung doesn’t include one in the box. There’s no headphone jack or microSD card slot — a trade-off for the titanium frame and IP68 build.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (2025)
Samsung’s 2025 flagship packs a 6.9-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED display and the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor with an upgraded USB-C port running at USB 3.2 Gen 2 speeds (10 Gbps) — double the transfer rate of its predecessor. DisplayPort 1.2 alt mode lets you connect to external monitors for Samsung DeX desktop mode over a single cable. There’s no headphone jack, but the USB-C port supports OTG for connecting wired accessories. The built-in S Pen slots into its own dedicated bay beside the USB-C port.
