Apple has downgrade the spec of base model till it is like a version of “SE” with skimped features.
Many believe the 15 and 14 Pro share the same display hardware but Apple software locked the 15 to 60Hz and turn off the always on display.
Even the battery rating is purposely lowered even though it has a higher battery capacity than 15 Pro.

The USB C port is probably software locked too to USB2 speeds

This post has been edited by farkingdom: Sep 16 2023, 09:22 AM

Hmm maybe that’s the reason is the difference in usb controller but then why give A16 a USB2 controller, USB3 transfer speed in the lightning port is already in my old iPad Pro 10.5. The iPhones just never really got it till usb-c transition in the 15 Pro.