so very apple to punish it's own users because they have too many old components they need to use up, but if you're paying for PRO you get actual 2023 modern USB.
Connector is USB type C, controller inside of it supports USB up to version 2. With USB you have different connectors but all of them are backwards compatible. So yes, Apple put outdated chip in the phone on regular versions so you get only USB 2.0 speeds. Type C is obviously capable of much more than USB 2, power delivery included... which is the part of OP statement. You get modern connector with outdated interface. Next year they will just trickle down Pro hardware to regular phones and call it "upgrade". That's what Apple does.
Well, they put last year’s chip in the phone, which does not support USB 3 speeds. If the non Pro iPhone 16 won’t support usb 3, then it’s deliberate kneecapping. Now it’s just unfortunate.
I still find it scummy that you get a year old hardware at current year prices. If the price was not at flagship level, then sure you could justify older chips.
Well, the price isn’t at flagship level. At least not from Apple’s view. You pay less, you get less (which is still en par if not ahead in most regards, compared to the competition)
Simple anchoring effect at work. Price flagship higher, so expensive "cheap" option looks cheaper by comparison. Truth of the matter is, it's all inflated prices, not only exclusive to Apple.
I mean, yea, obviously. Adjusted for inflation, the iPhone 15 without contract costs about as much as the iPhone 4 (it’s technically even $40 cheaper). The Pro models are much more expensive, of course, which was a bit less questionable, when pro and non pro shared the same chip. Now, the non pro is a generation behind… At least imo though, there’s not much reason to spend the extra on the Pro, at least not as an average user, especially since, performance wise, last years chip still outperforms the competition. But then again, I myself barely classify as average user since I’m a proud user of the 13 mini…
Well, not really. Most people complained for years now about lightning. Not necessarily about the lack of usb 3 speeds but that’s probably because for the vast majority of people, that doesn’t matter