MacRumors Readers Hoping for USB-C Instead of Lightning in 2019 iPhones

[pika2000]

Just remove the ports altogether. Wireless is the way to go.

Well imo that's what Apple is actually heading to. That's why they don't want to put too much money on replacing iPhone USB-A cables to USB-C nor doing a fast charger. I believe once all the lineup supports wireless charging (iPhone 7 is the only one left without wireless charging support), I can see Apple going full wireless, at least on a top end model first to test the market.

Of course, the next question would be whether Apple would bundle in Airpods and/or qi wireless charger pad or not. The nice thing about iPhones is that every single one of them at least quite "complete" out of the box (earpod and charger included). Plenty of Android phones don't include earbuds nor chargers anymore, just bundling in a cable. It would be a bit annoying if Apple starts doing that as well, by literally forcing people to buy an accessory right off the bat just to charge the phone.

 

[djgamble]

Why would anyone want a proprietary lightning port when there's an industry standard port that does the job just as well?

Because Apple's used the said proprietary cable for ages and all their accessories require it as a result.

 

[TheFluffyDuck]

We want USB-C which is why we wont get USB-C.

 

[garrick2007]

The USB-C connector SUCKS, the lightning connector is so polished it just effortlessly goes in. USB-C is not as smooth at all for a smaller device, i hate it. We are also already conditioned for proprietary hardware, id love to see a lightning 2 but with ipads already going C its a matter of time. I know that USB-C could open up a lot more possibilities for the phone but will apple even allow that? To me its just weird being apple is currently still using Lightning on accessories. I also own like 15 lightning cables so that's going to suck.

 

[windywalks]

I've said this a million times but here is the million and one - the USB-C connector isn't robust at all!
They wear out much more quickly than the lighting connector on iPhones.
Had to replace the connector on my MacBook twice and that thing doesn't even get connected and disconnected that often.
Dust is even more of an issue and try dangling anything by a USB-C. The Lightning has dedicated snap-locking pins on the sides, whereas USB-C only relies on friction between the port and the cable, which wears out really fast.

 

[b-dogg]

UNENLIGHTEN ME APPLE

 

[ksec]

The Poll is slightly unfair, given the choice, most user would have chosen USB-C for convenience, but in reality they don't care. There should be a third option of Doesn't Matter / Don't give a Damn.

Lightning is a better design because the cable breaks I replace the cable, in USB-C I might have a broken tongue in my phone that needs replacement. The likely hood of this happening is higher than say iPad and MacBook where your Devices are Stationary in most cases. Compared to iPhone that... gets badly treated at bedside in times.

Not to mention the so called industry standard USB-C is a bag of hurt, you get absolutely crap cable coming from everywhere.

 

[MoreRumors?]

I'm fine with Lightning since I only use it mainly to charge the phone. IMO, I think the Lightning port would be more durable than the USB-C, however, I don't have any device that have the USB-C port to be used daily to determine the durability and longevity.

 

[PLondon]

USB C is a really crappy design, so fragile... Nah, I prefer lightning by far.

I don't know which USB C cables you've used but in my experience they are far more reliable than Apple's Lightning cables.

I've been using USB C for 3 years on my Pixel phone and PixelBook and not had one damaged connector or frayed cable. During the same period I've had to buy 3 new Apple lightning cables that I use for my iPad / iPhone because the connectors stopped work and the cables frayed. Historically I would say Apple cables are terrible and unfortunately I think you might be right and that their USB C cablesight be as bad as their lighting ones...
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I care about the other end of the cable a lot more than what plugs into phone. Cars, airplanes, hotels, people's homes have the USB-A connectors. So again we will be having to use connector cables which will negate the advantages of C.
The gym I go to still has the old 30 pin cables so you can plug your device in - Of course I still have a couple of those.
There isn't a good answer.

There is, USB A - USB C cables. I've got a few if those that I got with my Pixels over the years, so perfect for the situations you mention.

 

[ChristianKl]

Apple's existing MacBook USB-C chargers can't fast-charge phones but slow-charge phones. Apple didn't care about building fast-charging for phones into their USB-C MacBook chargers.

 

[antonis]

And risk of being consistent after so many years of a mess ? Or even worse - gods have mercy - being compatible with the rest of the industry ? Give in to the horror of being able to connect an iPhone to a mac without adapters ?

No, just no.

 

[Breaking Good]

USB-C is a bad design that connects around a center flat pin, which can break or clog with dust easily. Good luck.

^^^^^^This. Thank you, killr_b, for posting this.

USB-C is too fragile and awkward for a smartphone and even worse for accessories like a Bluetooth headset. (Think AirPods here.)
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Give in to the horror of being able to connect an iPhone to a mac without adapters ?

It’s 2019. Why do you need to connect your smartphone to your laptop or desktop computer? You have Cellular, WiFi and Bluetooth to transfer data.

 

[antonis]

It’s 2019. Why do you need to connect your smartphone to your laptop or desktop computer? You have Cellular, WiFi and Bluetooth to transfer data.

Well, I hope apple reads this so they can stop releasing new iTunes versions.
Other than that, I agree, what's the point ? It's not like iOS offers any real file system to take advantage by connecting it to a computer, anyway.

 

[GuruZac]

They are going to move to the Lightning 2 connector which will allow the user to plug it in 4 different orientations instead of the arduous only two way connector of the current Lightning port.

Courage!

In all seriousness, I’m fine either way. I have USB-C to lightning cables, a wireless charger, so moving between the two isn’t a problem.

 

[Breaking Good]

Well, I hope apple reads this so they can stop releasing new iTunes versions.

I use iTunes every day to listen to music on my computer. I will create/modify a playlist which will then sync with my iPhone. I never have to connect my phone to my computer to do any of this.

Now that the iPads have a USB-C port, I’m curious as to how often you or anyone else connects their iPad to their computer.

 

[lilred505]

I too have many lightning cables etc.. But.. I am looking to the future.. usb-c is where I want it to go.. too many added benefits.. and will connect perfectly with my new MacBook Pro I'm getting..
Also, I refuse to sign up for yet another social media service like twitter.. Please, from now on keep these polls on your site here.. Thanks.

 

[mlody]

And risk of being consistent after so many years of a mess ? Or even worse - gods have mercy - being compatible with the rest of the industry ? Give in to the horror of being able to connect an iPhone to a mac without adapters ?

No, just no.

if you want to connect your iPhone to MacBook, Apple does not need to change anything on the iPhones -all they need to do is provide USB-C to Lighting cable in the box instead of USB-A to Lighting. That would make a lot of people happy.

Switching Lighting port to USB-C on iPhone is just dumb idea.

 

[H3LL5P4WN]

Nope. Why would I want an inferior, and larger, port when iPhones already have a smaller, more durable port?

Frankly, they shouldn't have changed the iPad Pros either.

 

[MacBH928]

Nope. Why would I want an inferior, and larger, port when iPhones already have a smaller, more durable port?

Frankly, they shouldn't have changed the iPad Pros either.

isn't usb-c faster for data transfer and maybe charging?

 

[Hadron]

The lightning port ensures that accessories for iPhones won't work with other phones, so providing a barrier to switching. It also brings in revenue to Apple since any accessory manufacturer wishing to use it must pay a license fee. So while a switch to USB-C would have advantages for customers and for the wider industry, Lightning has advantages for Apple shareholders. So I will be a bit surprised if this happens in the near future.

 

[jent]

I don't care much either way whether Apple goes with Lightning or USB-C for the iDevice charging port, but the other end of the cable should be USB-C instead of USB-A since Apple's newer Macs only have USB-C and ditched the older USB-A a while ago.

Similarly, Apple should include a higher-powered AC adapter with its iPhones and not the meager 5W one that the XS comes with.

 

[iShater]

Wow, this definitely touched a nerve with folks around here. I remember the transition to lightening from the old 25pin (or something) connector and the heart-ache and anger it brought. For many of us, we already not only had the iPhone, but iPads and iPods + iHome speakers, car chargers, etc. So everybody was pissed off because we had invested so much. Lightening was way better, and I friggin love it, but I do know eventually something will be better. Is USB-C that much better that we should all migrate? no idea, but I don't look forward to that eventuality because of the billion devices and cables that I currently have and will have for the next few years.

 

[JLD94]

As someone who is thinking of switching to Apple, I have USB-C products currently. I will likely be replacing a tablet soon and it will be an ipad. If I end up liking that I would probably end up getting an iphone next go around. My hope is that when I do this they will all have the same connector and hopefully the same one that I already use on other products I already own.

 

[co.ag.2005]

USC-C all the things.

 

[thebeans]

This morning, we asked our readers on Twitter if they'd prefer to see USB-C ports or Lightning ports in the 2019 iPhone lineup, and the results so far are clear -- MacRumors readers are ready to transition to USB-C.

With more than 15,000 responses across both platforms at the time this article was written, 74% of Twitter users have chosen USB-C over Lightning, as have 71% of Facebook users.

There have been some rumors suggesting Apple is at least considering transitioning to USB-C in the 2019 iPhone lineup, with USB-C prototypes supposedly floating around, but the most recent information from Japanese site Mac Otakara suggests Apple will continue to use Lightning for the 2019 iPhone lineup.

​

Given the mixed rumors, it's looking like we may not be seeing a shift to USB-C in 2019, but it's still possible, and the rumors are encouraging because it means we may see a transition away from Lightning in the near future. iPhones in 2020 or 2021 could feature USB-C, even if the 2019 iPhones don't.

Many current iPhone users may be reluctant to shift from Lightning ports because they've spent years collecting Lightning-based accessories, but there are some benefits to be aware of. With USB-C, iPhones would charge faster than with the current 5W iPhone adapter and Lightning cable setup, and cables would be interchangeable with cables for the MacBook, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, and iPad lineup.

With USB-C support for the iPhone, a single cable could be used to charge all of the above listed devices, and existing power adapters for these devices would fast charge the iPhone, providing at least 50% power in 30 minutes and 80% power within an hour.

​

MacRumors readers on social networks have weighed in, but we also want to hear from those who are visiting the site. Our Twitter and Facebook polls are open for the rest of the day, so go vote! USB-C or Lightning?

Also, if you don't already, make sure to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, where we share news stories, polls, videos, tips and tricks, and other interesting Apple-related information.

Article Link: MacRumors Readers Hoping for USB-C Instead of Lightning in 2019 iPhones

It looks like most people are wrong. Lightning > USB-C
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Why would anyone want a proprietary lightning port when there's an industry standard port that does the job just as well?

Because Lightning is better. Lightning > USB-C