Your next iPhone might have a USB-C port
Released in 2012, the iPhone 5 and iPad 4 were the first devices with the "Lightning" port and cable. It was 80% smaller than its predecessor, and reversible, i.e. you can plug it in either way.
10 years on, and all iPhone models still have the lightning port. New and more powerful iPad models however, have made the switch to the USB-C port. The iPad Pro series 2018-present, iPad Air 4 & 5, and iPad Mini 6 use USB-C charging instead of Lightning.
USB-C is the modern standard for charging and connectivity. Successor to the Micro-USB, USB-C was released in 2014, and became adapted by most smartphone manufacturers circa 2017.
The EU is progressing with legislation to make USB-C a universal standard, with aims to reduce costs and electronic waste, and make consumers' lives easier. This is putting pressure on Apple to shift their entire product line to USB-C.
Word on the street is the iPhone 15 (releasing 2023) will have a USB-C port.
Great for product quality, consumers and the environment. Not so great for Apple's profits.
Here's the benefits that you will notice:
> USB-C charging allows for higher current and higher voltages, which means faster charging. Some new phones with USB-C can charge at 100W; fully charging the battery in less than 30 minutes!
> Faster data transmission - transfer photos, videos and files between device 10x faster with USB 3.0, as appose to USB 2.0 (Lightning).
> Wider compatibility. Imagine having one cable to connect Android phones & tablets, Windows PCs, monitors, speakers, game consoles, MacBooks, iPads, and now; iPhones.
> More manufacturers = more options and better quality at lower prices.
Now will Apple release a flimsy USB-C cable for £19.99 with an authorisation chip that the phone must recognise in order to charge, thus rendering all other cables useless? Maybe. But hey-ho, the laws of the universe dictate that they will always win somehow.
10 years on, and all iPhone models still have the lightning port. New and more powerful iPad models however, have made the switch to the USB-C port. The iPad Pro series 2018-present, iPad Air 4 & 5, and iPad Mini 6 use USB-C charging instead of Lightning.
USB-C is the modern standard for charging and connectivity. Successor to the Micro-USB, USB-C was released in 2014, and became adapted by most smartphone manufacturers circa 2017.
The EU is progressing with legislation to make USB-C a universal standard, with aims to reduce costs and electronic waste, and make consumers' lives easier. This is putting pressure on Apple to shift their entire product line to USB-C.
Word on the street is the iPhone 15 (releasing 2023) will have a USB-C port.
Great for product quality, consumers and the environment. Not so great for Apple's profits.
Here's the benefits that you will notice:
> USB-C charging allows for higher current and higher voltages, which means faster charging. Some new phones with USB-C can charge at 100W; fully charging the battery in less than 30 minutes!
> Faster data transmission - transfer photos, videos and files between device 10x faster with USB 3.0, as appose to USB 2.0 (Lightning).
> Wider compatibility. Imagine having one cable to connect Android phones & tablets, Windows PCs, monitors, speakers, game consoles, MacBooks, iPads, and now; iPhones.
> More manufacturers = more options and better quality at lower prices.
Now will Apple release a flimsy USB-C cable for £19.99 with an authorisation chip that the phone must recognise in order to charge, thus rendering all other cables useless? Maybe. But hey-ho, the laws of the universe dictate that they will always win somehow.
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