Apple’s iPhone 15 release date has leaked repeatedly, along with most of the range’s major upgrades. Now one of the few remaining mysteries appears to have been solved, and it comes with a shock twist.

Earlier this year, leaks claimed Apple’s transition of the iPhone 15 range to USB-C would bring faster charging and data speeds. Those links went quiet in recent months, but specialist site ChargerLab has now discovered a new integrated circuit (IC) from leaked iPhone 15 component photos, indicating that “at least three iPhone 15 models will incorporate Thunderbolt/USB4's 40Gbps high-speed data transmission feature.”

Given that this upgrade was previously tipped only for the two iPhone 15 Pro models at best, that discovery is a genuine shock. Apple's current strategy with iPads, for instance, restricts Thunderbolt speeds to the Pro range. Moreover, the difference in speeds is enormous. For context, until now, all iPhone models have been limited to USB 2.0 speeds (480 megabits per second), while Thunderbolt 4’s 40Gbps performance is the equivalent of 40,000 megabits per second. It’s a stratospheric upgrade.

So what does this leaked IC do? ChargerLab explains that it is called a retimer and is used to enhance signal transmission stability, particularly for high-capacity data ports and minimizing jitter. There’s simply no reason for an iPhone to have one without Thunderbolt 4-level speeds.

And this advancement isn't merely for the benefit of technical enthusiasts. The inclusion of Thunderbolt can transform workflows, resulting in rapid data transfers and backups almost 100x faster than before. Thunderbolt's ability to deliver more power could also translate to quicker charging times for users — an area where iPhones have lagged behind Android rivals for years.