USB-C on iPhone 15 Pro Max: A game-changer for connectivity and versatility
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max. Picture: Noel Campion.
In the ever-evolving world of smartphones, Apple has again taken an iterative approach with the release of the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro. However, after using the phone for the last two weeks, I think the sum of its parts adds up to a more significant upgrade this year.
While the new Max looks very similar to last year's model, its smoother edges, slightly smaller dimensions and lighter weight make it more comfortable to hold. These subtle changes make a difference to those who prefer to use their phone without a case. The 19-gram lighter case is down to the use of aerospace-grade titanium. Boasting one of the highest strength-to-weight ratios among metals, titanium adds incredible strength while keeping the device more lightweight than stainless steel.
Four stunning brushed finishes — black, white, blue, and natural titanium — give the iPhone 15 Pro Max a distinctive look.
Apple also introduced an innovative internal aluminium structural frame that enhances thermal dissipation and repairability, reducing the cost of glass repairs.
The bezels are also a little thinner this year, and the device reduces overall dimensions while maintaining the same 6.7-inch display size. Additionally, ceramic shield protection on the front and durable back glass make the iPhone 15 Pro more resilient than ever.
USB-C has finally arrived on the iPhone, and it’s fantastic. It’s important to understand that USB-C is not the standard it’s often claimed to be. After years of using hundreds of different cables, adapters and devices that use the ‘universal’ connection, I can say not all are equal in quality, data transfer or charging rates. Heck, the cable that comes with the iPhone 15 Pro Max can’t achieve the maximum data transfer rates of the cable on its new USB-C port. This isn’t a big deal as most users will only use it to charge, in which case it can power up the battery at its maximum charge rate of 25.5W. I know that Android devices have had USB-C for years, but this is the first time iPhone users get to enjoy all the benefits it has to offer.
I love music, and Hires audio is important to me. I use the Chord Mojo 2 headphone DAC amp to listen to music on my Adeze LCD-X audiophile headphones, but on an iPhone with a lightning port, I have to use a USB camera dongle connected to a USB-A to USB-C cable, and it’s a faf. The major benefit of an iPhone is that I can stream at the highest quality — on Android, I have to use a third-party app to get maximum quality. Now, with the iPhone 15 Pro Max, I can use a short USB-C to USB-C cable directly into the Mojo 2. The difference is immense, especially when I want to take my hires streaming setup for a walk where I use wired IME headphones. It makes for an awesome portable audio setup.
Another benefit of the USB-C port is connecting hard drives directly to the iPhone. I would note here that the iPhone 15 doesn’t support Thunderbolt drives. I take lots of photos, and I can now back these up to my external SSD. I was also able to record video directly to a small SSD drive. Again, I only need a short cable for such a tidy setup.
I use Sony Alpha full-frame mirrorless cameras, which now work with the iPhone 15 Pro Max. I can connect a USB-C to USB-C cable to the iPhone and view all of my photos on a larger and brighter display. I was always able to do this on my iPad Pro, but it’s the portability that makes it extra convenient.
The USB-C port's universal compatibility makes connecting your iPhone 15 Pro Max to a wide range of external devices a breeze. Whether you want to mirror your screen on a TV, use an external monitor, or connect to projectors for presentations, the USB-C port ensures seamless connectivity without needing multiple adapters. It supports high refresh rates, allowing for silky-smooth video playback on external displays. This is especially beneficial for gaming, video editing, and watching high-motion content. I was able to connect the iPhone to several monitors that support USB-C directly, as well as using a dock with HDMI support out to my 4K TV, and the iPhone 15 Pro Max supports 4K video output, providing stunning clarity and detail for your videos. Whether sharing content on a larger screen or editing videos on a compatible monitor, the USB-C port ensures impressive visuals.
Support for 4K resolution, high refresh rates, and seamless connectivity opens up a world of possibilities for users who want to make the most of their multimedia content. Whether you're a content creator, a gamer, or a professional seeking enhanced productivity, the iPhone 15 Pro Max USB-C port is a powerful tool that brings your visual experiences to the next level.
The USB-C also enables reverse-wired charging. I successfully used this feature to charge my Apple Watch Series 9 from 20% to full in just over an hour. Although it consumed 22% of the battery, the convenience it offers is exceptional. Notably, I applied this method to charge the new AirPods Pro, complete with their USB-C charging case, similarly.
The most apparent advantage of USB-C is that you now only need one charger and cable. This makes travelling so much easier. No more forgetting to bring a Lightning cable on trips. I usually bring my MacBook charger and at least one suitable USB-C cable to charge my iPhone, laptop, iPad and any extra devices I need. The only peripheral without the USB-C treatment is the AirPods Max, Magic Mouse and Magic Keyboard.
One of the standout features of the iPhone 15 is its seamless integration with AirTag, offering Precision Finding capabilities. This innovation allows users to locate their friends with pinpoint accuracy. By following a simple arrow on the screen, you can track the precise distance and directions to your friends. This feature proves invaluable in crowded settings like train stations or amusement parks, ensuring you never lose sight of your companions.
Apple has reimagined the traditional ring/silent switch by introducing the Action Button. I know this won’t be popular with everyone, but I love the change because it is now much more functional. This multifunctional button lets you quickly access your favourite actions, with silent mode as the default setting. A simple press reveals the current status, while a press-and-hold gesture changes it. Visual feedback and haptic responses ensure you can interact with your device even in your pocket. The Action Button's flexibility extends to customising actions in the settings menu, catering to a wide range of user preferences.
iPhone 15 Pro Max introduces an advanced Pro Display with Dynamic Island Promotion HDR and Dolby Vision support. The device also features an always-on display with iOS 17, which provides glanceable information when the phone is set down. This feature lets users access essential information at a glance, enhancing convenience and productivity.
The device seamlessly integrates with MagSafe accessories, such as the MagSafe stand, which learns the user's preferred widget placement. When used as a bedside clock, standby mode intelligently dims to avoid disrupting sleep patterns.
Under the hood, the iPhone 15 Pro Max is powered by the all-new A17 Pro chip, the world's first system-on-a-chip with three-nanometer technology. The GPU delivers up to 20% faster performance, and the neural engine operates at twice the speed. These advancements empower developers to run machine learning models on-device, preserving user privacy.
Apple's GPU redesign, featuring a pro-class GPU optimised for mobile and desktop-class processing, opens the door to high-end gaming experiences.
iPhone 15 Pro Max introduces hardware-accelerated Ray tracing and new mesh shading, elevating the realism of gaming environments to console levels.
While the new A17 offers many advanced features, I was hard-pressed to see a performance difference coming from the iPhone 14 Pro Max in everyday use.
During my extensive two-week testing period, I encountered no overheating concerns despite reports to the contrary. Since launch, Apple has released a bug fix to address the overheating issue.
Apple's iPhone 15 Pro Max boasts an impressive array of camera features that continue to set mobile photography and videography standards. It features a 48-megapixel primary camera with a larger sensor that captures incredibly detailed photos. You can shoot in 48MP and ProRAW, offering unparalleled levels of detail and texture, but by default, images are saved as 24MP files.
The camera system includes multiple lens options, covering focal lengths of 24mm, 28mm, 35mm and 120mm (35mm equivalent), all at 24-megapixel resolution. Notably, the ultra-wide camera allows extreme close-ups, getting as close as two centimetres to subjects.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max comes with ProRAW for still photos and ProRes for video, providing professionals and enthusiasts with unmatched creative control. ProRAW delivers unprocessed image data, while ProRes video ensures pristine video quality with flexible post-production options. While I appreciate these are ‘pro’ features that regular users won’t use, it is great to see them included. There has been a noticeable surge in content creators opting to use their smartphones for video production, and the iPhone 15 Pro Max cameras are class-leading, especially when wielded by skilled and talented creators.
The ultra-wide camera has been upgraded, featuring a wider aperture for better low-light performance. It also supports Night mode, capturing stunning wide-angle shots even in challenging lighting conditions.
When I watch tech YouTubers referring to smartphones with big zoom capabilities as creepy, it frustrates me. There are so many advantages to having extra optical reach. I love the new 5X camera for landscapes, portraits and even nature photography. It especially shines in video capture, where the extra reach helps to get closer to animals, birds, other creatures and details in landscapes or cityscapes. You also get a lossless 2X zoom (48mm) and up to 25X digital zoom.
I will say that the jump from 3X to 5X does take a little getting used to for portraits because you have to take a few steps back from your subject. However, as a result, you get better natural bokeh.
Cinematic mode continues to improve, and I’m sure the extra grunt the A17 offers is a help here. The feature creates a depth-of-field effect, commonly known as bokeh, for a cinematic look. I think the best results are achieved when you close down the virtual aperture, which provides excellent separation between subject and background while not looking fake. It’s worth playing with, even for non-professionals who want to bring a professional touch to their video recording.
One of my favourite features in Cinematic mode is that you can adjust focus even after recording, giving you unprecedented creative control.
Night mode has been further improved, producing brighter, more detailed, low-light photos. Whether capturing cityscapes or stargazing, nighttime shots are clearer and more vibrant.
Smart HDR 4 enhances dynamic range and optimises details, ensuring your photos look their best in various lighting conditions. It's a game-changer for high-contrast scenes and backlit subjects.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max's camera can now intelligently recognise objects and scenes in real time. This aids in better exposure, focus, and colour adjustments for your photos, ensuring they look their finest.
iPhone 15 Pro embraces the future of wireless connectivity with support for Wi-Fi 6E, offering twice the speed when connected to other Wi-Fi 6E devices.
Apple's commitment to environmental sustainability is evident in using recycled materials. The enclosure features 75% recycled aluminium, while the internal frame contains 100% recycled aluminium. The iPhone 15 lineup utilises 100% recycled cobalt in the battery, marking an industry first in environmental responsibility.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max isn’t a quantum leap in mobile innovation, but there are so many updates and improvements in both software and hardware that the sum of these parts adds up to a significant upgrade. Design enhancements, including aerospace-grade titanium and a thinner profile, make the iPhone 15 Pro Max more comfortable and durable. The USB-C port introduces newfound versatility, enhancing music and photo experiences. The device's performance, powered by the A17 Pro chip, offers high-end gaming and advanced camera capabilities, notably the 48MP primary camera and improved telephoto lens. The Action Button adds a functional touch to the device. The iPhone 15 Pro Max combines hardware and software excellence, setting modern smartphone standards.
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max is available now from €1,489
