Previous iPhones have utilized the Lightning connector, but with the iPhone 15, it has finally switched to USB Type-C.
Will there be a change in our music life with the transition from the somewhat cumbersome Lightning to the versatile USB Type-C?
This article explores the codecs of the iPhone 15 and discusses headphones and environments for enjoying high-quality music.
What is the codec of the iPhone 15? When will LE Audio be available?
The codec for the iPhone 15 remains SBC and AAC as before.
While AAC provides sufficient sound quality, it would have been desirable for the iPhone 15 to support the LE Audio codec “LC3+” for high-resolution audio sources.
With an iPhone that supports “LC3+,” you can enjoy wireless earphones with sound quality close to wired earphones with minimal degradation.
However, with the transition from Lightning to USB Type-C port in the iPhone 15, you can now enjoy higher-quality music than before.
Looking forward to future iPhones.
Are there benefits to switching to USB Type-C?
Since the removal of the 3.5mm headphone jack from the iPhone 7, the only option for using wired earphones has been to use the Lightning connector.
With the iPhone 15 switching to the USB Type-C port (pictured on the left), it is now easier than ever to use DACs and enjoy music with high-quality wired earphones.
DACs are now more user-friendly than ever before
In the iPhone 15, it becomes possible to use a USB Type-C dongle DAC.
Previously, users had to either use a dongle DAC for Lightning or use an attachment, which limited options and usability.
With the iPhone 15’s compatibility with USB Type-C ports, dongle DACs are now more user-friendly, making it easier to enjoy music with high-quality wired earphones.
The barrier to listening to high-quality music on iPhone has been lowered.
Introducing recommended dongle DACs.
The prices of dongle DACs vary, but the ‘iBasso Audio DC03PRO’ we are introducing this time is a high-cost-performance product that has also won the Gold Award in VGP2023.
Of course, if you are looking for a higher-quality sound, the ‘Astell&Kern AK HC2 Dark Silver’ is also recommended.
iBasso Audio DC03PRO
Astell&Kern AK HC2 Dark Silver
Transmitters are available
The codecs for iPhone are SBC and AAC, but there are also other high-quality codecs available.
Commonly known high-quality codecs include aptX Adaptive and LDAC, but unfortunately, they could not be used with iPhone.
However, with the inclusion of the USB Type-C port this time, it is now possible to attach a transmitter that supports the high-quality codec aptX Adaptive.
If your current wireless earphones or headphones support aptX Adaptive, you may be able to listen to music with a different sound than before.
Maximizing the performance of earphones or headphones
Sennheiser aptX Adaptive Bluetooth
The options for wired earphones increase
While many people may associate wired earphones with the headphone jack, there are also models with Lightning or USB Type-C connectors.
However, when comparing Lightning and USB Type-C wired earphones, there are more options available for USB Type-C earphones.
There are also many high-quality earphones available at affordable prices, making wired earphones a recent trend as well.
Tanchjim ZERO DSP
MOONDROP Quarks DSP
The author, who works at an electronics retail store in Japan, shares their passion for audio equipment.
Please forgive any awkward parts in the English translation.