Apple iPhone Air lacks DisplayPort functionality in its USB-C port.

Unlike the iPhone 17 standard model, the Apple iPhone Air lacks DisplayPort functionality in its USB-C port.
On September 11, it was reported that since the iPhone 15 series, Apple replaced the Lightning connector with USB-C, offering USB 3 on certain models. However, the newly released iPhone 17 standard and iPhone Air still use USB-C 2.0 ports, with a maximum transfer speed of 480 Mbps (equivalent to 60 MB/s, the same as Lightning).

According to Apple, the iPhone Air’s USB-C port does not include DisplayPort support, and only supports charging and USB 2 (up to 480 Mbps). In contrast, the iPhone 17 standard supports charging, DisplayPort, and USB 2 (also up to 480 Mbps).

This means that the iPhone Air cannot use the DisplayPort protocol to connect to USB-C monitors with resolutions up to 4K at 60 Hz. Apple’s website notes that the iPhone’s USB-C port can connect to various USB-C standard devices, such as:

• CarPlay-compatible vehicles
• External storage devices
• Monitors and external displays
• Microphones
• External batteries
• USB to Ethernet adapters
• SD cards via adapter

When paired with USB-C cables that support USB 3, the iPhone 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max, 15 Pro, and 15 Pro Max allow data transfer at USB 3 speeds. In addition, the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max can directly record ProRes video to external storage at up to 4K resolution and 60 fps.

The USB-C cable included with your iPhone supports charging and USB 2 data transfer speeds. To use USB 3 devices, you need a cable that supports 10 Gbit/s and meets the USB 3 standard.

The Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) Pro Cable (1 m) is marked with a lightning symbol to distinguish it from standard USB-C cables, and is backward-compatible with USB 3 and DisplayPort.

As a reference, the iPhone Air uses Ceramic Shield glass on both sides and an aerospace-grade 5 titanium frame, with a thickness of 5.6 mm. On the front, it features a 6.5-inch display with a 120 Hz ProMotion refresh rate (peak brightness of 3000 nits), supports AOD 1 Hz always-on display, and has an 18 MP front camera. On the back, it comes with a 48 MP fusion camera (equivalent 26 mm focal length, f/1.6 aperture).

The device is powered by the A19 Pro processor, introducing a second-generation dynamic cache structure, with GPU performance up to three times that of the A18 Pro. It also integrates Apple’s custom N1 chip, supporting Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0, and Thread networks, along with the new Apple-designed C1X modem.

The iPhone Air adopts eSIM technology worldwide (including mainland China). With iOS 26, it introduces AI-powered energy-saving technology, claimed to allow users to “comfortably last a whole day.” For extended use, Apple offers a new ultra-slim MagSafe external battery, which can extend video playback time up to 40 hours.