The iPhone 15 family introduced USB-C ports, but many users only use them for charging. However, USB-C drives offer expanded functionality. While any iPhone with USB-C can connect to external storage, data transfer speeds vary significantly.
Non-Pro iPhones are limited to USB 2.0 speeds (480Mbps), which may hinder video streaming from drives. In contrast, iPhone 15 Pro and newer models feature USB 3 ports capable of 10Gbps speeds, enabling direct Pro Res video recording to external SSDs. This high-speed storage is crucial for creative professionals handling large video files.
However, external drives won't function as internal storage, and compatibility depends on the specific iPhone model.
Source: AppleInsider · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing