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Would you rather Lightning or USB-C?

What IO do you want on the iPhone 7?

  • USB-C

    Votes: 38 55.9%

  • Lightning

    Votes: 30 44.1%
  • Total voters
    68
0

0000757

macrumors 68040
Original poster
Dec 16, 2011
3,893
850
What port would you like on the iPhone? Lightning or USB-C?

I like lightning, but honestly I'd much more prefer USB-C. Every property of lightning USB-C has, and a Lightning to USB-C adapter would not be hard to make.
 
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I vote Lightning because I already have a pile of cables in different places. I made the switch to Lightning buying all new cables, don't want to change again for a while.
 
With a reversible connector and support for much faster transfer speeds (Thunderbolt 3) and charging rates (14.5V/2A on MacBook, 3A/5V on Nexus 6P), there's definitely a need to transition to USB-C sooner rather than later. Since it a non-proprietary standard, it will allow device inter-operability on a much better level than the proprietary lightning connector.
 
masotime said:
With a reversible connector and support for much faster transfer speeds (Thunderbolt 3) and charging rates (14.5V/2A on MacBook, 3A/5V on Nexus 6P), there's definitely a need to transition to USB-C sooner rather than later. Since it a non-proprietary standard, it will allow device inter-operability on a much better level than the proprietary lightning connector.
Click to expand...
The only time my devices are connected to anything is charging. (a few times I will backup to a pc but not often)
Curious what you're connecting to that needs a faster connection. This is not an argument point, I'm truly curious what your connecting to that should be faster.
 
I've already got all the Lightning cables I need (car, home, office), and I've got multiple Lightning devices. So I'd prefer they stay the course for now.

I can't think of the last time I used a wired connection for data transfer, and I can charge my phone fast enough now. Plus Apple has already demonstrated that the Lightning connector can handle USB3 speeds, with the iPad Pro.

C
 
gsmornot said:
This is not an argument point, I'm truly curious what your connecting to that should be faster.
Click to expand...

Largely to transfer photos and movies, as well as faster backups (I backup everyday - essentially I charge from my Mac). Also, some apps I use, such as Comic Zeal, could do with faster transfer speeds when I'm copying over comics.
 
Doesn't really affect me because my 3 devices are all made by Apple. Lightning's a big improvement on the 30-pin adapter that came before it that's for sure.
 
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masotime said:
Largely to transfer photos and movies, as well as faster backups (I backup everyday - essentially I charge from my Mac). Also, some apps I use, such as Comic Zeal, could do with faster transfer speeds when I'm copying over comics.
Click to expand...
Ahh, I transfer all of that wireless and use iCloud Photo Library with additional purchased storage. My backups with occasional exception are done to iCloud via wireless too. Understand the desire though if that is how you're using it, I was just curious. Thanks for the reply.
 
pearphone7 said:
Doesn't really affect me because my 3 devices are all made by Apple. Lightning's a big improvement on the 30-pin adapter that came before it that's for sure.
Click to expand...

But if one of them is USB-C, and the other two are Lightning, wouldn't that be a bit of a pain? Until you upgrade all three, at least.

C
 
Personally, I would prefer a lightning cable. I already own quite a bit of them, and they work with all of my Apple products I own. While USB-C is nice, I'd rather not see it.
 
After seeing the way lightning ports fatigue over time with my 5S, I'm ready to embrace another standard.
 
CNeufeld said:
The ports on your phone wear out, or the cables wear out? I've had a few Apple cables fray at the ends, to the point of having to discard them.

C
Click to expand...

The port on the phone. After ~18 months of pretty heavy use the pins inside the Lightning port got "loose" or bent back or some other physical issue. Every night it was an exercise frustration to position the cable in just the right place to get it to charge.
 
Apple really need to choose between either USB-C or Lightning, and stick with their decision. At the moment, they are juggling between USB-C on their rMB and Lightning on their iOS devices and now their accessories. Clearly, USB-A will soon be replaced by USB-C across their Mac lineup which will cause further disparity and fragmentation. We will be juggling between Lightning or USB-C. Since USB-C is non-proprietary and has further benefits in terms of data transmission, it seems the obvious choice and I would like to see them make the change AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

Why they chose to use Lightning connectors on their recent accessories (Magic devices, Siri Remote) screams madness when the obvious trend is towards USB-C.
 
Let's see -

New Apple tv remote - lightning
New magic trackpad - lightning
New keyboard - lightning

It's not going away anytime soon.

masotime said:
With a reversible connector and support for much faster transfer speeds (Thunderbolt 3) and charging rates (14.5V/2A on MacBook, 3A/5V on Nexus 6P), there's definitely a need to transition to USB-C sooner rather than later. Since it a non-proprietary standard, it will allow device inter-operability on a much better level than the proprietary lightning connector.
Click to expand...

Apple has already stated the memory they use on the phones can't be written to at USB 3 speeds.
 
knownikko said:
The port on the phone. After ~18 months of pretty heavy use the pins inside the Lightning port got "loose" or bent back or some other physical issue. Every night it was an exercise frustration to position the cable in just the right place to get it to charge.
Click to expand...

M8 im almost positive you just had dust in your port. It can really clog in there, so you need a pin or something to remove it.
 
knownikko said:
The port on the phone. After ~18 months of pretty heavy use the pins inside the Lightning port got "loose" or bent back or some other physical issue. Every night it was an exercise frustration to position the cable in just the right place to get it to charge.
Click to expand...

That's pocket lint. Mine does that too. Take a small flat wooden toothpick and slide it in there and back and forth and get all the lint out.

Mine works great and snaps securely again. Done it twice in 2 years. Your lint mileage may vary.

Good luck
 
Apple will never switch to a none proprietary connector on the iPhone. But they should switch to USB C.
 
Lightning to usb3 like my iPad pro. USB c is fine but I'll skip rapid charging thanks
 
USB-C because that is what all Macs will be using in 2016, all other phone chargers will be using it in the near future, and proprietary connectors stink.
 
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