Weekly poll: how do you feel about Apple's impending transition from Lightning to USB-C?

06 August 2023
The USB-C port is already the default on Macs and iPads, but a lot of accessories (for both Macs and iPhones) still rely on Lightning. What will happen to them?

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Imagine you keep buying iPhones for $1000 and they don't even give you USB 3.

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    • blue
    • 0CN
    • 06 Aug 2023

    Roberthxx, 06 Aug 2023Right way! now we can start asking ourselves how about to... moreTell that to chinese... they break standards all the time.

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      • blue
      • 0CN
      • 06 Aug 2023

      Fearghast, 06 Aug 2023I do believe you overestimate the amount of people that wil... moreHow can anyone impose a fee? They agreed to use USB-C, but there is no regulation telling them it has to be absolutely unlimited. So, of course they can limit whatever they want. Starting probably with charging speed for cheap USB-C cables (which I would do myself too as a preventive measure).

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        • Anonymous
        • vI9
        • 06 Aug 2023

        Almand, 06 Aug 2023I just have only one question. Which one is more durable. ... moreThat's hard to ascertain which one is more durable out of the two. Both have their pros and cons. Well my phone has USB and it's working fine since a few years without any problems. Dunno how long it will go without breaking

          Of course it is a welcome change. At least we're saving more money.

            Roberthxx, 06 Aug 2023Right way! now we can start asking ourselves how about to... moreIt’s already standardized with USB-PD. Even Apple follow this standard. The problem is the Chinese making their own proprietary charging tech, making things more confusing.

              Right way!
              now we can start asking ourselves how about to make Chargers more unified and cables too!
              Samsung will often not charge full speed with charger and cable from other brand (that go way beyond 45W).
              And we have same problem even if all use USB C.

                I just have only one question. Which one is more durable.
                I feel like the port on the Phone shud be more durable than the connector on the cable, In that regard, it seems more like the lightning port on the iPhone would be more durable than the Type-C port on Phones as it has a tongue that could break. I may be wrong. Replacing the port on a phone is much harder than just replacing a damaged cable.

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                  • Anonymous
                  • pWD
                  • 06 Aug 2023

                  It's excellent. Should have happened earlier, but I'm glad it finally is becoming true.

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                    • Anonymous
                    • Ib5
                    • 06 Aug 2023

                    Type c is the future. Already got rid of all my micro usb devices. Planning to switch to type c altogether like replacing my usb a flash drive. But keeping a usb c to to usb a cable is necessary for now.

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                      • Anonymous
                      • 3SL
                      • 06 Aug 2023

                      Also something I want to point out because it‘s always part of this discussion: Many people (Android and iOS users alike) will tell that Lightning is „slower“. That is NOT true. It‘s just a choice of Apple to limit the iPhone to USB 2.0 speeds. The last iPad Pros with lightning had USB 3.0. I guess Apple just doesn’t care really about the port speed because they want most stuff to be done wirelessly, and backups done to iCloud instead of locally (though I do local backups and haven’t noticed a problem with the USB 2.0 speed)

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                        • Anonymous
                        • 3SL
                        • 06 Aug 2023

                        As a long-time Apple user, I think the benefit (singular) of compatibility with many other devices outweighs the better durability and geometry and „cleanability“ of the lightning port. However, it‘s not a change big enough to make me spend $1000 immediately. It’s just a port after all.

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                          • Anonymous
                          • vI9
                          • 06 Aug 2023

                          The transition to USB C was bound to occur at some point. Apple was holding on to Lightning as long as they could. Eventually the laws and regulations kicked in and they had to adapt to the holy USB

                            blue, 06 Aug 2023They can still do it. Many people will be asking for certif... moreI do believe you overestimate the amount of people that will miss MFi sticker on a product.
                            Most of the users will probably appreciate more lack of paying extra for the same features every other user has available.
                            Not to mention, if Apple would to try something not nice regarding USB-C it might not be all that cost-effective for Apple as a fine that would follow might pretty much negate any dirty licencing or limitation they might try to impose.

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                              • blue
                              • 0CN
                              • 06 Aug 2023

                              Fearghast, 06 Aug 2023RIP MFi revenue. IMHO, it is ridiculous, as they dropped t... moreThey can still do it. Many people will be asking for certified accessories, Apple may limit warranty, or simply use a SW block. Easy...

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                                • Anonymous
                                • uCh
                                • 06 Aug 2023

                                Kangal, 06 Aug 2023No, Apple designed and released Lightning Port well before ... moreno, you are maemo user :p

                                  BrianCoriour, 06 Aug 2023Most likely will be nerfed to make it seem like USB C is wo... moreI agree to a large extent.

                                  But though aPple does not deserve defending, in all fairness it should be said that by "Retina" they are referring to the resolution of above about 320PPI not the display technology. (That they then toots that as an aPple-thing despite Sharp doing 333 over four years earlier back in 2006 is another story - others were earlier with high resolution too
                                  https://www.gsmarena.com/results.php3?nYearMax=2009&nDisplayDensityMin=300 )

                                    RIP MFi revenue.
                                    IMHO, it is ridiculous, as they dropped this ancient tosh on pretty much everything but iPhones. But considering the sales of that thing, it seems people are not really bothered by it and would be OK with Apple exploiting it for much longer if there was no EU legislation to set a standard.

                                      If Apple hadn't been so greedy and made Lightning an open standard, every other manufacturer would have started using it, and there would be no need for type-c.

                                        It's too late. As the article mentioned, the charging solution for Apple devices is already a mess: lightning for older iphone & ipad and accessories, usb-c for newer ipad plus some models of macbooks, and magnetic for old and newest mackbooks. They should fix it first.
                                        Also, Apple already charge much more for cables compared to other companies, but the quality is not on par with the price. They should've make it very sturdy and lasts for a very long time.
                                        But yea as other commenters said, if Apple use usb-c for the next iphones, most likely they will sacrifice customers to justify Apple's arrogance by downgrading the ports's specs.

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