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

[dzankizakon]

Inconvenience of switching iPhone to USB C would definitely be greater than the benefits.

Most regular users, I'm afraid, would see the switch to USB C as a nuisance with zero value - change for its own sake.

I only use wired charging when I'm abroad. On normal days I just plop my XS on to the wireless pads I have in my bedroom and the office.

 

[MrUNIMOG]

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

Because it doesn't.

 

[Bin Cook]

Don't care, just give me fast charging capability out of the box, you tight, skin flint ******s.

 

[Shanghaichica]

Well this macrunours reader is hoping that they keep lightning.

 

[I7guy]

Well this macrunours reader is hoping that they keep lightning.

I'm with you. My own rationale is why buy more cables when usb-c doesn't seem to do anything better, faster or more efficiently for me.

 

[bigjnyc]

I voted for USB-C but it doesn't really affect me to be honest. I use a bluetooth headphone, and have wireless charger at home and in the office. I could count with one hand the times I have plugged in to my lightning port... My phone is practically a virgin

 

[Shanghaichica]

I'm with you. My own rationale is why buy more cables when usb-c doesn't seem to do anything better, faster or more efficiently for me.

Yep. I’ve got tons of lightning cables around and it’s only my MacBook Air that doesn’t use them. My iPads, AirPods and even Apple TV remote all use lightning. My MBA still uses a MagSafe connection so I’ve got nothing to gain by going to usb c. I’ve already got a fast charger for my iPhone and iPad Pro.
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I voted for USB-C but it doesn't really affect me to be honest. I use a bluetooth headphone, and have wireless charger at home and in the office. I could count with one hand the times I have plugged in to my lightning port... My phone is practically a virgin

I do use my wireless charger at home with my Xs max but all my other Apple devices use lightning and I have so many lightning cables that I don’t even take them out of the box any more. I also have lots of 12 w plugs and 5W plugs. Also a lightning stand up charger so I have no interest in going usb c.

 

[RemE]

Sure, let's abandon yet another Apple accessory ecosystem, like Flir cameras, 360 cams, headphones etc. made for lightning, for a "Standard" reversible connector that is basically the same functionally as the connector it would replace.

Ya sure, that would be a very courageous move.

 

[randyhudson]

And you really enjoy those cheap lightning connectors apples continues to use on the iphones...the lightning connector can break even easier than usb-c.....jeez

I can literally snap one right now and the lightning connector is guaranteed to snap first while the usb-c will be much more durable....

When the iphones get usb-c...you won't say a word.

So you would rather the port on your phone break than the connector? Brave.
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But lightning pins turn black and fail to function because they spark from lint and other debris in the socket.

So which is better? I think it’s USB-C

Lightning is easily cleaned because it's a single hole. USB C is a hole with something sticking out of the middle. Good luck cleaning lint out of that.

 

[bigchief]

What would make me happy is if Apple would put a 12w charger in the box with every iPhone and just stop making the 5w charger.

 

[hirsthirst]

my MBP is USB C my IPP is USB C, using a normal USB to lighting is a PIA right now for me. so I want them all USB-C

Yes, this. I have to carry an MBP and iPhone 8 for work, and I choose to take along my personally-owned iPhone X and iPP11 too. Plus Sony bluetooth headphones that are also USB-C charged.

That's a load of mains chargers & leads when I need to charge everything overnight in a hotel room, I'd like everything to go to USB-C as soon as possible please.

 

[paulvee]

Yes, this. I have to carry an MBP and iPhone 8 for work, and I choose to take along my personally-owned iPhone X and iPP11 too. Plus Sony bluetooth headphones that are also USB-C charged.

That's a load of mains chargers & leads when I need to charge everything overnight in a hotel room, I'd like everything to go to USB-C as soon as possible please.

I, too, would not have a problem with it all moving to USB-C eventually, as I'm sure it will.

At the same time, I'm a little leery of polls, especially on computer-dedicated sites, as they don't necessarily reflect much beyond this tight demographic. I remember well when we moved from the 30-pin connector to Lightning and most people I knew were howling with indignation that Apple was making them change their accessory cables.

Que sera, sera.

 

[H3LL5P4WN]

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

I cant comment on the data transfer speeds because I haven't plugged an iOS device in for that purpose in ages (thank you iCloud), but USB-PD seems to work just fine over it. I've charged my iPad Pro 10.5 and my iPhones via my USB-C to Lightning cables quite fast (on an Anker 30w USB-PD charger).

 

[makr]

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.

Not the cable, but connector itself is more reliable and durable than USB-C connectors.

 

[audiophilosophy]

I really feel like a lot of Apple’s “commitment” to the environment is more marketing than reality anyway. I’m not gonna say they don’t do good things but some of their design decisions are downright hostile. Why upgrade an old Mac with an SSD when you can throw it away and get a new one?

They’re better than say... Amazon, but it’s more about checking boxes than actually caring.

You’re right, Apple’s greenwashing is just PR fluff. Apple makes more money when their products need to be completely replaced instead of simply repaired. Apple is aggressively fighting the “right to repair” legislation and supporters. Follow the money.

 

[Dominicanyor]

What's fragile is those cheap lightning cables apple gives you with a thousand dollar iphone......

True..

 

[jdmachogg]

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

Not just as well, lightning still only supports USB 2.0.

USB 3.0 and 3.1 gen 2 are 10x and 20x faster respectively. Not to mention fast charging.

 

[maverick2007]

Looking at this poll Apple would do exactly opposite to what people want. It's all about profit than what people need. THey have to change manufacture process to include USB-C

 

[DataChris]

If USB-C cables didn't SUCK at staying in place, then USB-C everything would rule!! BUT EVERY SINGLE DAY I find my MacBook NOT fully charged because somehow the USB-C has just slipped out of the port. I have backups fail because the USB-C external drive was accidentally disconnected. I have external devices, that suddenly stop working (or charging) because cables just fall the hell out of the ports. But not enough to notice. It only takes a 1/100th of an inch movement for the connections to stop working. USB-C simply doesn't have the finesse of the Lightning port. If the standard was fixed to include the little clipping notches Lightning cables have then it would be perfect! OHHH but then it would be probably be called USB-D and you'd all need new cables again anyways.

 

[jonblatho]

Would you need a spruce if I told you that crystal cups break more often than plastic cups when dropped?

So, the answer is no, there is no source because it’s not a widespread issue as the USB-C port was designed to prevent any serious torque from ever being placed upon the center pin by a USB-C connector. Thanks for deflecting instead of answering my question! Have a nice day.

 

[Timemaster]

My thoughts are that it is long over due. Apple should of switch over to USB-C years ago. It is better tech at this point than lighting with higher speed transfers and can move more power. Remember USB-C allows for up to 100w of power per the spec. Also it puts data transfer speeds at 3.0-3.1 speeds right now. That is enough to power a 5k monitor plus anything else you plug into them no issue.

On my old Pixel I would charge my phone on my work mac's charger. It was a great one to use in a pinch. I sadly have more cables USB-C than lighting. I would love to have to deal with fewer cables not more.

 

[tuxster.mk]

If Apple decided to go with usb-c ports they would now just be catching up to Android phones, which have had usb-c for a while. Way to go Apple, showing innovation once again.

 

[12vElectronics]

Obviously the general public that isn't 'into' tech like we are probably don't care. But we all know USB-C is the future.

 

[HashPipeK]

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

If you've used both you know that USB-C is confusing as hell. They got a good thing with Lightning.

 

[DrMotownMac]

My answer is USB-C. Imagine for a minute that all of your devices (iPhone, iPad, MacBook, iMac) only use USB-C connectors for all peripherals. The advantage is not only the increased speed and power transfer abilities, but the idea that you only need ONE cable with only ONE connector. Whatever it is you need to plug in, and whichever end of the cable you're looking at, and whichever way the plug is facing (up or down)...none of it matters. It's one universal connector for power and data, with symmetry with respect to the cable itself and to the orientation of the plug and port.

Whatever kind of nonsense the people are talking about with the fragility of USB-C and/or the tendency to come out of the port more easily...that is irrelevant. The advantages are so dramatic. I can't even tell you how many times my parents (admittedly luddites) have tried inserting USB-C plugs into their iPhones by mistake, or brought the wrong cable with them on vacation. For the general public (who does NOT read MacRumors.com), life would be much easier with one universal standard for all purposes. Plus, it would be easier for people like us to not have to answer those questions about which cables are for what.

Does anyone else remember the days before USB-A? SCSI ports for printers, ADB ports for mice and keyboards, other random ports for connecting monitors to CPUs, etc., etc. Of course, the DOS/Windows computers had their own unique connectors which were not compatible with any of Mac connectors. USB-C is the holy grail they've been searching for! It allows you to connect everything to everything else with only one type of connector. How is this a bad thing? Yes, there will be a few years in there where hotels, restaurants, airports, airplanes, and all peripherals need to get on the USB-C bandwagon, but once the transition is complete, it will be SO MUCH BETTER! In the meantime, carry some USB-A to USB-C dongles, and you should be okay.