Leaker Posts More Images Said to be of USB-C iPhone 15 Components

The move to use USB-C connectivity on the new iPhone 15 lineup is being driven primarily by new regulations that will soon kick in for European Union countries and Saudi Arabia that will require Apple and other electronics manufacturers to adopt USB-C as a common charging standard to reduce electronic waste. The only question about the changeover to USB-C is when the move will actually take place.

If Apple is making the move to USB-C connectivity on its iPhone lineup this fall, it’s logical that the Cupertino firm’s supply chain would be working to produce the USB-C components in preparation for assembly of the new handsets.

Majin Bu posted a sequence of images on X that are allegedly USB-C components from the iPhone 15 Plus. Two of the photos show a front and back overview of the component assembly, while the remaining shots are closeups of USB-C connectors and identifying labels.

“You can see the packaged chip on the iPhone 15 series,” the leaker wrote in the X thread. “The model is 3LD3.”

“Because it is a self-designed chip, the function cannot be judged by the model,” Majin Bu continued. “Judging from the same type of plastic packaged chips in the past, it may be the setting of transmission encryption.”

Majin Bu’s track record when it comes to leaks is hit or miss. Majin Bu also has a bit of a reputation for republishing images from other sources without crediting them, so it’s tough to say whether or not the pics are genuine or what their original source was.  As is usual for any “leaked” images like this, we won’t know for sure what type of connector Apple will use on the new iPhone 15 lineup until the company unveils it in September.

In July, Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman said he expects to see Apple release a USB-C charging case for its AirPods Pro wireless earbuds, likely alongside the switch to USB-C connectors for the iPhone 15 lineup next month.

In related iPhone news, an X post from Unknownz21 over the weekend claims that Apple’s fourth-generation iPhone SE will also have USB-C connectivity, as well as Face ID.

The leaker also says that the new iPhone SE will have an Action Button, much like we expect to see on the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max handsets. Unknownz21 also noted that the iPhone SE will continue to use a single rear camera setup like the current third-generation iPhone SE model.

[The information provided in this article has NOT been confirmed by Apple and may be speculation. Provided details may not be factual. Take all rumors, tech or otherwise, with a grain of salt.]