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

[bigjnyc]

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

I don't really care either way... But just curious what exactly makes USB-C "confusing as hell" ? I have it on my macbook and its a pretty straightforward do it all port.

 

[thecombatwombat]

Would love to see the 900M iPhone users poll on if they care or even know about usb-c.

It would depend on how you word the poll. I would bet fully half of all those users know what USB-C and ligntning are well enough to look at a cable and tell you which one is which. Among the other half, a huge number know, and care, that the iphone can't use the same charger as a laptop and other phones, and would prefer it if the iphone could. They know and appreciate that there are "apple chargers" and "literally every other device" chargers. Most of those users see no benefit to Apple having their own cable.

 

[Abazigal]

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.

My bet is that Apple will probably sooner drop the charging port altogether than switch to usb c for the iPhone. But hey, they already switched over for the iPad, so...

 

[dwig]

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

Maybe and maybe not...

USB-[letter] only ever specifies the connector. It NEVER EVER specifies what data or power protocols are present. USB data speeds are specified using USB-[number].

The host, cable, and device must all support the same protocol. USB-C connectors frequently support USB-2.0, USB-3.0 (aka USB-3.1gen1 when using a USB-C connector), USB-3.1gen2, Thunderbolt-3, DisplayPort Alt-mode, and PowerDelivery. If, and only if, a device with a USB-C port supports USB-3.0 or faster will it be faster than a Lightning port, which tops out at USB-2 speeds. Also, I you connect a USB-C port, regardless of the device's ability, to a USB-C device, regardless of its ability, with a cable that only supports USB-2.0 (e.g. Apple's "charge cable" supplied with the new iPPs) you'll only get USB-2.0 data speeds.

 

[PickUrPoison]

Maybe and maybe not...

USB-[letter] only ever specifies the connector. It NEVER EVER specifies what data or power protocols are present. USB data speeds are specified using USB-[number].

The host, cable, and device must all support the same protocol. USB-C connectors frequently support USB-2.0, USB-3.0 (aka USB-3.1gen1 when using a USB-C connector), USB-3.1gen2, Thunderbolt-3, DisplayPort Alt-mode, and PowerDelivery. If, and only if, a device with a USB-C port supports USB-3.0 or faster will it be faster than a Lightning port, which tops out at USB-2 speeds. Also, I you connect a USB-C port, regardless of the device's ability, to a USB-C device, regardless of its ability, with a cable that only supports USB-2.0 (e.g. Apple's "charge cable" supplied with the new iPPs) you'll only get USB-2.0 data speeds.

iPad Pro models (except for the 9.7”) with Lightning ports actually support USB 3, it requires the Apple Lightning to USB3 Camera Adapter. Maybe you mentioned it in an earlier post.

re: charging, iPhones starting with the 8 support USB-PD so when used with a Lightning to USB-C cable, you can get up to 50% in 30 minutes. Apple’s 18W adapter is sufficient, though even faster rates might be achieved with higher wattage adapters such as the 29W, 30W, 61W, and 87W. Third-party chargers (from reputable manufacturers, at least) that follow the USB-PD spec are also compatible, an Apple adapter is not required.

 

[Mac 128]

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.

Lightning is capable of support much more than 2.0 speeds, Apple just currently limits it. There's no guarantee Apple would allow USB-C to support faster.

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.

Why does Apple want the average consumer phone to support a 5K monitor? Also, see above. Just because USB-C is capable of faster speeds, doesn't mean Apple will support it.

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.

Imagine, wireless charging, no port whatsoever, using a universal standard worldwide. That's where this is going. USB-C would be a transitional port at most. So why do I want to replace all of my cables yet again, when they will all be moot in a couple of years?

1. It’s not reliable, Apple cables frey all the time, also not an industry standard. Cable companies have to pay apple to make the cables... for apple.
2. More buying options, can use friends android charger to charge your iPhone. Public charging stations will be all usb c in the future, so less likely the one you need isn’t broke.
3. All of 2 + no need to swap out cables when charging you Mac, iPad Pro, and iPhone. As a developer I plug in my test devices without chasing down a cable only to realize it’s to the wrong device(expecially helpful for developers that code both iOS and android
4. Apple would have incentive to allow faster transfer speeds as a reason for them upgrading (to appease the people mad at the switch, lot of uproar when switching from 30 pin to lightning, even though nobody would want to go back now)
5. When purchasing a $1000+ device I want it to be as compatible with other devices as possible and also not being stuck buying apple certified cables. I want cheap cables that are industry standard certified.

Yes it will suck to swap out all the current cables, my CarPlay setup I plugged into the back of my head unit and fiberglassed the lightning end into a custom phone holder. This will be at least a days worth of work to swap out, but will be worth it if it gives me the option to change out my phone in the future(most likely not)

I guarantee USB-C ports will not be commonplace any time soon. So that renders all of your other points moot (and niche by the way).

I always assumed that the next port change for iPhone would be to remove all ports and rely on wireless alone.

Guess the only problem I see with this is cost of including a wireless charger in the box. There's no compelling reason to connect with a wire to anything at this point. Wireless technologies are fast enough, secure enough, and provide enough power to completely replace any port.

Yes exactly. There will likely always need to be a way to physically connect something to the iPhone, if only to do a hardware reset, but something like the SmartConnector would be much better suited for that, and provide one less point of vulnerability to the elements.

 

[Virinprew]

To be honest, as a techie and consumer, I don't get the allure of USB-C as a connector for iPhones.

1. We've been using Lightning for years and numerous iPhone versions...so what's wrong with Lightning?
2. What will USB-C on iPhone actually IMPROVE for the average consumer?
3. What will USB-C on iPhone actually IMPROVE for the average techie?
4. Every iOS device (except iPad Pro I think) transfers at USB 2.0 speeds. Those are the dark ages. It really drives me nuts when I want to transfer a few hundred 320K mp3 files to my iPhone and it takes 15+ minutes. In 2019. If USB-C connectivity promised USB 3.0 speeds with syncing to iTunes, that would be a positive in my book. But that's only 1 positive so far.
   
5. Going back to #1, unless there is a compelling reason to change, it's just going to annoy consumers AGAIN that they have to toss all their expensive Lightning cables/plugs/accessories when they buy a new $1000 phone and REPLACE all those accessories with lots of cash. Honestly, this would be a very large part of my decision-making process and I'm sure a large percent of others, too. And no, I'm not buying a dozen $29 "adapters" for my various cars, wall outlets, charging ports, portable radios, etc.

1. Because we also use usb-C. So we have to carry two cables.
2. Forget lightning. I ask my Android friend for cable. -> Nope
3. I have lightning. I test my app on iPhone. -> New MacBook can’t connect to iPhone.
4. Apple could have done it with lightning. I also don’t know why they don’t.
5. It’s annoying for sure. It’s the same as removing headphone jack.

 

[DrMotownMac]

Imagine, wireless charging, no port whatsoever, using a universal standard worldwide. That's where this is going. USB-C would be a transitional port at most. So why do I want to replace all of my cables yet again, when they will all be moot in a couple of years?

Hmmm...so you believe that in "a couple of years" they're going to have wireless charging perfected to the point where you can 'fast charge' your iPhone or iPad to 80% charge in less than an hour...WIRELESSLY? With a case on the phone, or will I have to take that off? Because right now, it's like molasses. I wouldn't wirelessly charge any of my devices under almost any circumstances today. Also, do you really think the 15 inch MacBook Pro will be capable of wireless charging as well? What about fast data transfer? Will you be able to read and write to a hard drive as fast wirelessly as you can via USB-C (Thunderbolt 3)? How about when I want to connect my MacBook Pro to my 27 inch 5K display...will that be wireless as well..."in a couple of years??"

I think you're dreaming. But you know what they say, if you're going to dream, you might as well dream big!

 

[pika2000]

1. Because we also use usb-C. So we have to carry two cables.
2. Forget lightning. I ask my Android friend for cable. -> Nope
3. I have lightning. I test my app on iPhone. -> New MacBook can’t connect to iPhone.
4. Apple could have done it with lightning. I also don’t know why they don’t.
5. It’s annoying for sure. It’s the same as removing headphone jack.

What you want is then the lightning to USB-C cable, which Apple sells.
So the real problem is the USB-A side on the included cable, not lightning.

 

[The Game 161]

Will be dissapointing if there is no USB C i will be honest...in 2019 it should be happening.

 

[applebro]

I find it hilarious that you can’t plug up a brand new iPhone to a brand new MacBook Pro unless you buy a dongle.

I hope it stays lightning for the lulz

 

[PickUrPoison]

I find it hilarious that you can’t plug up a brand new iPhone to a brand new MacBook Pro unless you buy a dongle.

I hope it stays lightning for the lulz

Some might find it hilarious you call a cable a dongle.

Anyway, back on topic: there are 1.5 billion active iOS devices. Why should the 5% of the user base that owns a USB-C MBP/iPP mess things up for the 95% who don’t?

You’ll never see USB-C on an iPhone, imo.

 

[DifferentThinker]

Just finished reading the whole thread, I don't have a single device on USB-C or any cables thereof, like a few others have said, hence, I would've voted Lightning and find myself leaning towards that side after reading all the posts. That being said, I'm not really strong either way, and don't mind an adapter (sorry I don't say the d-word, I think it sounds silly) but I just don't see Apple making the switch this year.

 

[antonis]

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.

I suppose as often as before, minus the adapter in the middle.

 

[Tech198]

Push people to a new type of technology, and you catch millions more wanting it so they can get off the 'old crap-ola'

 

[b-dogg]

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.

I've used my macbook pro power brick with my iphone X and it fast charged.

 

[prasand]

Since purchasing an 11" iPad Pro, I've found that USB-C cables break at the connector, while Lighting cables fail at bend point of the cable. Never once over the course of my cable replacement years has a lighting connector broken at the connector point, but between my MacBook Pro (when storing the cable in a bag) and in the short time of having an iPad Pro (when using the iPad with the USB-C cable plugged in), I've had a few USB-C cable connectors break, bend (laterally, as well as being crushed). The walls of the USB-C connector are just too thin, the lightning connector is significantly more durable.

 

[MacBH928]

Maybe and maybe not...

USB-[letter] only ever specifies the connector. It NEVER EVER specifies what data or power protocols are present. USB data speeds are specified using USB-[number].

The host, cable, and device must all support the same protocol. USB-C connectors frequently support USB-2.0, USB-3.0 (aka USB-3.1gen1 when using a USB-C connector), USB-3.1gen2, Thunderbolt-3, DisplayPort Alt-mode, and PowerDelivery. If, and only if, a device with a USB-C port supports USB-3.0 or faster will it be faster than a Lightning port, which tops out at USB-2 speeds. Also, I you connect a USB-C port, regardless of the device's ability, to a USB-C device, regardless of its ability, with a cable that only supports USB-2.0 (e.g. Apple's "charge cable" supplied with the new iPPs) you'll only get USB-2.0 data speeds.

so if its just about connector shape, why does Apple insist on keeping the lightening instead of moving the new standard shape?

 

[prasand]

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.

Apple's PD / fast charging requires using MFI certified cables with the chip inside. Otherwise, charging will be at a higher voltage but not at PD levels (hence the absence of a double-chime when plugging the cable in). That is the case for non-PD devices using the MacBook power brick also. I frequently recharge both my iPad Pro (using a non-MFI USB-C cable), and iPhone XS using the MacBook USB-C power brick.

I suspect your cables are the culprit.

 

[minimo3]

USB-C is so “prevalent” that none of my accessories use it (battery banks, headphones, portable speakers, presentation remotes).

The only device I have that uses usb-c is my switch and it took googling to figure out I needed a charger that outputs 3A and a usb-c cable with a 56k ohm pull-up resistor that would properly charge my switch. I’m sure the average consumer or kid knows all this beforehand and is familiar with all the audio class, power delivery profiles, alternate modes and protocol support when buying their USB C cables. It’s a masterpiece of clarity!

 

[gaximus]

I guarantee USB-C ports will not be commonplace any time soon. So that renders all of your other points moot (and niche by the way).

Only my second point has anything to do with USB-C being commonplace. Also Almost all new flagship phones come with USB-C, and most electronics are starting to come with USB-C, and if Apple makes the change, it will become common place.

 

[BuddyTronic]

So you would rather the port on your phone break than the connector? Brave.
[doublepost=1549988849][/doublepost]

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.

Well, that may be true but I’m not sure yet actually. I had 3 or 4 failed lightning cords and all of them had one or two blackened terminal elements - always the same “pins” are black.

Check this article:

https://ioshacker.com/iphone/why-the-fourth-pin-on-your-lightning-cable-turns-black

I am a very careless enduser so I will find the defects in anything. I’m thinking USBC has been designed to avoid spark gaps.

Apparently the lightning connector does allow some sparking to occur when a connection is made. Then somewhere here on Mac rumors I read that Apple Genius Bar people were trained to clean lint out of iPhone sockets. That’s when I realized that it I am probably one of those guys who does not care for his iPhone at all and probably has tons of lint and debris in the socket

 

[Timemaster]

Some might find it hilarious you call a cable a dongle.

Anyway, back on topic: there are 1.5 billion active iOS devices. Why should the 5% of the user base that owns a USB-C MBP/iPP mess things up for the 95% who don’t?

You’ll never see USB-C on an iPhone, imo.

You forget that a lot of people also have android devices or are switching from Android and as such have USB-C cables around. I came from Android. I have several USB-C chargers cables.
Mix that with my wife still uses an Pixel with a USB-C chargers. It is rather annoying for both us as we keep different cables in our respective cars. At the house it sometimes is moving around and getting a charger from another room and can not really share them. Traveling already has forced use to run out and buy and extra charger as one of us forgot ours. In the pass when that happen we would just share our one charger we have between the 2 of us.

USB-C is so “prevalent” that none of my accessories use it (battery banks, headphones, portable speakers, presentation remotes).

The only device I have that uses usb-c is my switch and it took googling to figure out I needed a charger that outputs 3A and a usb-c cable with a 56k ohm pull-up resistor that would properly charge my switch. I’m sure the average consumer or kid knows all this beforehand and is familiar with all the audio class, power delivery profiles, alternate modes and protocol support when buying their USB C cables. It’s a masterpiece of clarity!

What are you talking about. I have had several chargers over the years for USB C. I just google USB-C charger and done.
USB-C chargers are the norm now days.

Lighting is falling behind as ONLY really the iPhone using it compare to USB C which can put out more power, faster charging and has spread to a lot more devices than microUSB ever did.

 

[jamesrick80]

Since purchasing an 11" iPad Pro, I've found that USB-C cables break at the connector, while Lighting cables fail at bend point of the cable. Never once over the course of my cable replacement years has a lighting connector broken at the connector point, but between my MacBook Pro (when storing the cable in a bag) and in the short time of having an iPad Pro (when using the iPad with the USB-C cable plugged in), I've had a few USB-C cable connectors break, bend (laterally, as well as being crushed). The walls of the USB-C connector are just too thin, the lightning connector is significantly more durable.

I have so many USB-C cable devices and not once has this happened to any of my usb-C cables...maybe you just have bad luck. All of my USB-C cables even the older ones work flawlessly and don't bend. The one that came with my ipad pro 11 was the cheapest quality usb-c cable that ever came with one of my devices...i mean that cable really is a cheaper quality variant but thats the Apple way (luckily I have plenty of other usb-c cables to use to charge this expensive ipad).

 

[trainfreak]

I think the phone would have to be substantially thicker. I know these arguments go on forever but sleek is good. Otherwise I would wholeheartedly support USB-C.

I'd hate to burst your bubble but, i have the Moto z2 play with USB-c charging port, and it is in fact, thinner than any iPhone at 6.mm/.24 in. The thinnest iPhone was the iPhone 6 at 6.9mm/.27 in, the new iPhone x's are even thicker at 7.7mm/.30 in, and the XR is even thicker still at 8.3mm/.33 in. ....so your team USB-C now right?