Feature-wise and tech-wise is USB-C better than Lightning? Can MagSafe transmit data?

[Luba]

I guess USB-C is better than Lightning since it’s used by iPad Pro. Only drawback of USB-C is that it’s bigger than Lightning?

My only complaint with Lightning is that it isn’t durable. I had a Lightning cord not work that was less than a year old. Apple wouldn’t honor warranty because they said connector had rust on it. No big deal since a new Lightning cord is only $20. I’ve seen other Lightning cords get easily frayed, so it’s not durable or at least not kid-proof.

If I needed to reinstall/restore iOS or wanted to sync iPhone using a Mac are MagSafe connections capable of doing this? I’m pretty sure we can’t now, but is it technically possible?

 

[casperes1996]

USB-C is technically just the port and plug and on its own the term does not describe functionality. The USB-C plug however can carry USB-PD (Power Delivery), USB 3.2 gen 2x2 (Thanks USB-IF for dumb names), Thunderbolt, and a variety of other protocols. Lightning as of now at least can just carry power and USB 3.1 gen 1 ( I believe? ) so yeah, Lightning is slower for data transfer than the maximum theoretically carried by a USB-C port; But all USB-C ports are not the same. Again, blame the USB Implementors Forum for not making all of this more obvious. One port that does it all is good, but it should've been done in an easier to grasp way. In any case, that's the layout of the land.

As For MagSafe I assume we're talking the MagSage system on iPhones and not the old Mac plug.
All MagSafe is, really, is a strong circular magnet and the wireless charging coil that was already present on prior devices. It by itself does not carry data. But there are plenty of other wireless systems in an iPhone that can carry data, like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi
A way of implementing what you're thinking of through that; Well, you know how Macs have Internet Recovery? In theory one could easily make an "Internet Recovery" on an iPhone, but instead of connecting to an Apple server, just connect to a Mac and let that send over the data. In theory, not that I think Apple is preparing this

 

[Luba]

USB-C is technically just the port and plug and on its own the term does not describe functionality. The USB-C plug however can carry USB-PD (Power Delivery), USB 3.2 gen 2x2 (Thanks USB-IF for dumb names), Thunderbolt, and a variety of other protocols. Lightning as of now at least can just carry power and USB 3.1 gen 1 ( I believe? ) so yeah, Lightning is slower for data transfer than the maximum theoretically carried by a USB-C port; But all USB-C ports are not the same. Again, blame the USB Implementors Forum for not making all of this more obvious. One port that does it all is good, but it should've been done in an easier to grasp way. In any case, that's the layout of the land.

As For MagSafe I assume we're talking the MagSage system on iPhones and not the old Mac plug.
All MagSafe is, really, is a strong circular magnet and the wireless charging coil that was already present on prior devices. It by itself does not carry data. But there are plenty of other wireless systems in an iPhone that can carry data, like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi
A way of implementing what you're thinking of through that; Well, you know how Macs have Internet Recovery? In theory one could easily make an "Internet Recovery" on an iPhone, but instead of connecting to an Apple server, just connect to a Mac and let that send over the data. In theory, not that I think Apple is preparing this

Hmmm, how would Apple have an "Internet Recovery" iPhone with no ports connect to a Mac if the iPhone is "dead". It couldn't do it by MagSafe since that can only be a wireless charging coil connection, correct? Bluetooth and WiFi wouldn't work as the iPhone is "dead", so having an iPhone with no ports (no Lightning or USB-C) can't be done yet.

 

[casperes1996]

Hmmm, how would Apple have an "Internet Recovery" iPhone with no ports connect to a Mac if the iPhone is "dead". It couldn't do it by MagSafe since that can only be a wireless charging coil connection, correct? Bluetooth and WiFi wouldn't work as the iPhone is "dead", so having an iPhone with no ports (no Lightning or USB-C) can't be done yet.

Define "dead" in this case. If the hardware is completely dead, reinstalling the OS with a port wouldn't gain you much anyway. If the OS is somehow corrupted though bluetooth would be perfectly feasible. You would just have a ROM chip with a bootable recovery system that can use the bluetooth antenna

 

[Luba]

Define "dead" in this case. If the hardware is completely dead, reinstalling the OS with a port wouldn't gain you much anyway. If the OS is somehow corrupted though bluetooth would be perfectly feasible. You would just have a ROM chip with a bootable recovery system that can use the bluetooth antenna

I'm thinking "dead" that simply turning off/on wouldn't fix iPhone, but needing a restore of iOS. "Dead" wouldn't mean being "bricked". So a port free iPhone can be feasible!

 

[casperes1996]

I'm thinking "dead" that simply turning off/on wouldn't fix iPhone, but needing a restore of iOS. "Dead" wouldn't mean being "bricked". So a port free iPhone can be feasible!

In that circumstance I see no significant difference between having a port and not, assuming there’s a bootable environment that is 100% read-only and impossible to alter that can then facilitate the networked restore

 

[joevt]

In that circumstance I see no significant difference between having a port and not, assuming there’s a bootable environment that is 100% read-only and impossible to alter that can then facilitate the networked restore

That environment is the DFU mode or Recovery mode?

DFU Restore - iFixit Support

To fix the issues with your device, we’re going to perform a DFU Restore. DFU stands for Device Firmware Update which reloads the software and the firmware of y

help.ifixit.com

DFU Mode - The iPhone Wiki

www.theiphonewiki.com

 

[casperes1996]

That environment is the DFU mode or Recovery mode?

DFU Restore - iFixit Support

To fix the issues with your device, we’re going to perform a DFU Restore. DFU stands for Device Firmware Update which reloads the software and the firmware of y

help.ifixit.com

DFU Mode - The iPhone Wiki

www.theiphonewiki.com

The environment I described, as I described it, does not currently exist; But it would occupy a similar role

 

[Htsi]

Lightning is more durable than usb c

 

[casperes1996]

Lightning is more durable than usb c

I have to say I've never had either connector break. The wire always seems to be the weak point, and regardless of which connector is used you can make the cable itself any level of durability

 

[Htsi]

I have to say I've never had either connector break. The wire always seems to be the weak point, and regardless of which connector is used you can make the cable itself any level of durability

USB C breaks in port, or gets loose. Look at MacBook threads.
lightning is easy fix, a new cable that’s it for the most part.
they both have their uses.