Apple has launched its latest lineup of iPhone 15 phones, but in addition to the upgrades, it made a major change, ditching the Lightning connector that has been a staple since 2012’s iPhone 5 in favor of USB-C.
This move, mandated by the European Union, might have elicited a long overdue finally from iPhone owners who grumbled every time they had to untangle a snarl of Lightning cables that got mixed in with their other snarl of USB-C cables.
And, sure, no one will weep for Lightning, which was fine, but now Apple is capitalizing on the EU requirement by trying to sell a $29 USB-C to Lightning adapter. What’s it for? That’s a good question. As near as I can tell, there are only a couple of compelling reasons to use the iPhone’s remaining port for anything other than charging, and that’s for wired headphones (all the rage among the youths, for some reason) and CarPlay. (Pro tip: Try the $11 Belkin BoostCharge USB-A to USB-C cable for your car’s USB needs.)
Both “problems” already have solutions. In addition to the new iPhones, Apple introduced a set of USB-C wired EarPods, and USB-A to USB-C cables that plug into cars’ antiquated USB ports are also available. A few specialty audio devices might use Lightning, such as Apple’s AirPods Max, should you want to use them as a set of wired headphones. You could use the adapter for that unlikely edge-case scenario, but they’re wireless headphones by design. So, really, just switch to USB-C already and don’t look back. Here are some reasons for doing so.
One cable to rule them all
USB-C is here to stay (hopefully). You can now use USB-C across most of your devices, from MacBooks to AirPods to iPhones. This is a way to future-proof your devices. Consumers increasingly seek gadgets that will last more than a few years, and with USB-C as the new standard, investing in a set of high-quality USB-C cables is an investment in the future. We like the Anker Powerline+ USB-C to USB-C cable for just $10, for example — and you can even save some cash with this Anker Premium Nylon USB-C to USB-A Cables three-pack for $20.
It’s also a way to cut down on the cable clutter in that drawer. By consolidating to USB-C, you ensure compatibility with more devices and significantly reduce cable chaos.
And, let’s face it: It’s just simpler not to use an adapter unless you really, really need to.
Anker's Powerline+ USB-C cable is durable and functional, with a braided jacket, robust connectors and handles up to 60W of power for fast charging. And it's backed by a lifetime warranty.
Faster, stronger, cheaper
USB-C is just faster and more reliable too. It transmits more data and power across a broader range of devices than Lightning. Lightning could only transmit 480 Mbps, while USB-C can go to 40 Gbps — almost 85 times faster data transfer. Lightning could only carry a maximum of 20W, while USB-C can handle 240W. That means a USB-C cable can charge anything from your new iPhone to a laptop.
With two USB-C ports for laptops or tablets and a USB-A port for lower-power devices like a phone or smartwatch, the Anker 735 is ideal for getting all of your gear charged at home or on the go.
One of the smallest chargers we tested at its output range, the Nexode has a second USB-C port that lets you split its total capacity for more versatility.
Bottom line
Switching over to USB-C will be an unadulterated good for iPhone users. Gone are the days when iPhone users were out of luck if they found themselves at 1% battery and only USB-C cables around. (This has happened to me many times overseas.)
Videographers and photographers will also benefit. The iPhone 15 Pro line of phones produces gargantuan high-resolution video and image files. Waiting for them to upload to the cloud and then download to a Mac or other computer for editing is a pain. And if you’re working far from Wi-Fi or cellular connection, you were simply out of luck until you got back online. Now with USB-C, you’ll be able to transfer those immense files to your work computer, well, like a flash of lightning.
You will lose one thing. You will no longer have an excuse to tell your Android-using friends, “Oh, sorry, I only have a Lightning cable” when they ask to plug in their phones.