If only there were a standard that ensured it wasn’t junk and apple was encouraging the use of that standard.

Apple should encourage the USB-IF certification. I would be fine if they advertised it as "Apple certified".

Being on the board I’m sure they do. But my understanding is the MFi stuff here is to ensure a specific compliance that is a more strict subset of the USB-IF certification, and by using their trade mark they have standing to go after anyone violating it more aggressively than you might expect from a trade group.

I also can’t see where the headline says they’re nerfing anything. It seems like MFi is a “maximum comparability and quality” standard they assert for their products, but their product is still usb-if compliant so works perfectly fine with any non MFi accessory. Further MFi doesn’t mean only works with apple or something. I literally see no issue with this beyond “Apple evil must be irate”

How do you ensure a standard doesn't get bypassed by a bad actor? If it isn't working for USB-C why would it work for MFi? There are chips in USB-C cables that negotiate with the host; if they can fake those what stops them from faking MFi?

The end result of this, is people buying more cables. USB-C was designed to mitigate the problem and now we have another standard using the same connector but requiring a different cable. It is just as bad as those devices which take USB-C but haven't updated the board to include sense resistors so they only charge with USB-A to C cables.

MFI (Made-For-iPhone) is trademarked by Apple and they will enforce that by having infringing products removed from various markets and retailers... though if you're buying from dodgy retailers you can get knock offs of nearly anything.

Do you consider Amazon a dodgy retailer? If so, congrats but most people buy their stuff there. If not, I have some bad news about dodgy goods on Amazon...

Given the reviews and experiences from https://www.amazon.com/gp/profile/amzn1.account.AFLICGQRF6BR... - absolutely, they're a dodgy retailer (and resell dodgy items). I would suggest buying only appropriately branded cables (which incidentally includes Amazon Basics). Though personally, for any cable that matters, I've spent the premium and purchased it from Apple as I'm fairly certain I am getting exactly what I am getting.

So you have no refutation to my point. Your contribution was 'yeah they can be faked, just like USB-C, but I only buy real ones'.

I'd be willing to buy a mfi certified cable on amazon. Apple enforces those.

You will be hard pressed to find a MFI certified cable in the above linked reviews that is rated poorly for spec.

You may find "compatible" ( https://www.amazon.com/TROND-Charger-Resistor-Charging-Chrom... ) - but not certified ( https://www.amazon.com/ask/questions/Tx1KDZKVM4Y5KYE/ref=ask... )

Would I trust buying an off brand usb cable that lacks MFI certification? Nope.

"Don't but cheap junk" might be a great corporate policy, but it is not a viable or realistic consumer strategy.

>Out-of-spec cables and chargers are definitely a problem

Then maybe they should bother including one (that they know is in-spec) in the box when you buy the phone.

> the solution is to not buy cheap junk.

And, of course, never ever use a cable you didn't buy? No borrowing one from your friends, no using the office charger, etc.?

That sounds like a restriction nearly no one would adhere to.

Now they won't be able to use my perfectly fine, USB-IF certified cable to charge their devices fast. The cable supports 100W, is certified, but not by Apple.