Apple’s ultra-svelte iPhone Air, as well as the bog-standard iPhone 17, do ship with USB-C ports, but they are not going to offer the speed bump many had hoped for. According to the published specs from Apple, the devices are limited to USB 2 data rates that top out at a theoretical 480Mbps, relegating the faster USB 3 experience to the Pro series of products.
Why Apple Won’t Ditch USB 2 on Non‑Pro iPhones
The move is a replay of Apple’s strategy to differentiate its premium model with physical hardware perks while maintaining a more-or-less consistent mainstream experience. The switch from Lightning to USB‑C in non‑Pro iPhones was largely about simplifying chargers and regulations; it did not promise faster wired data. The common charger directive of the EU standardizes the connector, not the throughput, which allows Apple to continue to differentiate the devices by tier.
From a both a cost and implementation perspective, slower PHYs and more straightforward cable validation are elements that contribute to simplifying complexity in a thin device like the iPhone Air. USB 2.0 is defined by the USB Implementers Forum at 480Mbps, and USB 3.2 Gen 1 and Gen 2 both go up from there at 5Gbps and 10Gbps. There is a double benefit to Apple: Reserving faster-speed controllers for Pro phones allows it to protect margins while offering a clear upgrade path.
What It Means for Transfers and Creators
For many less-pro users — who back up to iCloud or sync over Wi‑Fi — the distinction might be an invisible one. But people who frequently transfer large files will notice it. Capped at 480Mbps (around 60MB/s theoretical, but typically 35–40MB/s in practice), offloading a 50GB 4K video library can take upwards of 15 minutes. And on a 10Gbps link (approximately up to 1,000MB/s in the real world with a good host and cable), that same transfer might complete in a minute or so.
That gap is important for ProRes shooting creators, mobile journalists getting footage to editors and studios with tethered captureations. It affects local backups and device restores, too, USB 3 speed on a Mac or PC significantly reduces downtime.
Pro Models Get USB 3 — With a Caveat
The family of iPhone 17 Pro offer USB 3 data rates up to 10Gbps, in-line with what Apple brought to previous Pro models. The in-box USB‑C cable is, as last time, usually rated for USB 2, so hitting top speed will require a different USB 3 (or Thunderbolt/USB4) cable. On the bottom of the market, meanwhile, you have USB‑IF‑certified Gen 2 Type‑C cables, which you can find all over, sometimes for $10–$20, versus premium Thunderbolt 4 cables, some of which cost significantly more, or are criminally high if you like your wallets.
It’s a minor detail, but an important one: the port supports faster data, but the cable you have in the box may not. Power delivery isn’t compromised, but the throughput you get will be determined by the cable you elect to use.
Wireless Upgrades: Bluetooth 6 and Wi‑Fi 7
Bluetooth 6 is added to all new models, including iPhone Air and iPhone 17, according to Apple’s spec sheets. The Bluetooth SIG describes the next-generation standard as an improvement in latency and power consumption to support things like better low-power audio and potential fit for broadcast audio once the ecosystem has matured.
They also support Wi‑Fi 7 (IEEE 802.11be), which delivers multi-gigabit wireless throughput over 320MHz channels and multi-link operation in the right conditions. In practical terms, that means you’ll need a Wi‑Fi 7 router and a high-speed broadband plan in order to experience the benefit at home, but it future-proofs the hardware of these iPhones for the next wave of high-performance networks.
Competitive Situation and Buyer Advice
Competitors like Samsung’s Galaxy flagships and the latest Pixels from Google have embraced USB 3. x down into more tiers, offering power users a quicker wired workflow without needing to pay “Pro” premiums. Apple’s stance is to take a rather more cautious middle ground: non‑Pro buyers get the versatility of USB‑C without the full speed, and professionals are given a gentle push (if you can call a starting price of £1,299 that) towards the Pro models for anything high-bandwidth.
If cloud-first is your workflow — as in, streaming-first, wireless backups, AirDrop, and occasional small transfers — then the iPhone Air and iPhone 17 won’t feel constrained. If your work requires you to shuffle around video files, with frequent local backups (a good practice), or you use high-speed desktop accessories, the Pro models are for you, and you should budget for a certified USB 3 or Thunderbolt cable in order to take advantage of the advertised speeds.
In short, what Apple is saying is USB‑C is standard, performance is not. The iPhone Air and iPhone 17 update the port but retain Lightning-era data rates, whereas the Pro line gives creators and IT departments the wired throughput they crave — so long as you bring the right cable.
