1. Why Apple Switch from Lightning Port to USB-C?
In October 2022, the European Union passed legislation that will require all new portable smart devices such as mobile phones and tablets will must to use USB Type-C charging interfaces in order to be sold in the region from the end of 2024. Therefore, the general view is that the most direct reason for Apple to replace Type-C is to comply with the EU's requirements, which is forced to accept, not voluntarily. Since lightning is Apple's own patent, it is believed that Apple has been relying on Lightning certification to attract a lot of money and will not give up easily. According to media estimates, Apple earns $5 billion a year from selling Lightning cables and MFi licenses.
In fact, is Apple really just forced by the pressure of the EU to make a compromise? The answer is of course no. First of all, compared with the decline in product sales that may result from not complying with EU regulations, the revenue from Lightning accessories is not worth mentioning. MFi certification can still obtain revenue from other accessories, so this loss is acceptable. Secondly, the iPhone 15 switch to the C port is in line with Apple’s product logic, for those who use all Apple products, Mac, iPad, iPhone can share the same cable, and can also to AirPods, Apple Watch and other accessories charging, which is conducive to creating a complete and unified user experience. The last is the functional needs, Pro series iPhone is increasingly being used in film and television creation, and there is an urgent need for an interface that can transmit data at high speeds, USB-C can carry high speeds and has wide compatibility. In short, the shift from lightning to C-port is not an unprofitable concession for Apple.
2. iPhone 15 and 15 Pro Reverse Charging Explained
With the inclusion of USB Type C port, Apple has also introduced reverse charging to the iPhone 15, which is similar to the wireless reverse charging of Huawei. Huawei included the ability to 'Reverse Wireless Charge' with the Mate 20 Pro. This feature allows the user to charge other devices with wireless charging capabilities by placing them on the Mate 20 Pro's back panel. The difference between Huawei and Apple is whether the phone uses the charging cable for reverse charging. You can now use the iPhone 15 and 15 Pro models to charge other devices like AirPods, Apple Watch, the Magic Mouse, Magic Keyboard, and other similar devices. You can even charge your older iPhones with Lightning ports and even Android phones using a USB-C to Lightning and a USB-C to C cable, respectively. Additionally, the iPhone (or Android phone) with a higher battery charge will charge the other device with a lower battery charge, regardless of the iPhone 15 model you are using. This wired reverse charging support on the iPhone 15 series is capped at 4.5W. (So make sure the iPhone has enough charge to absorb the hit.)
It should be noted that the iPhone 15 reverse charging power is limited to 4.5W, so the charging speed is extremely slow. Tests have shown that just 15 minutes of reverse charging was enough to bump an Apple Watch Series 8 from 53 percent to 68 percent, while the connected iPhone 15 Plus dropped from 100 percent to 97 percent. When it comes to charging speeds, Apple was already lagging far behind its Android counterparts, and sadly, the situation hasn’t changed much even with the addition of a new USB-C port on the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus.
3. How about Reverse Charging Compatibility and Transmission Speed?
Regarding the compatibility of reverse charging, tests show that using the conventional USB-C to USB-C charging cable to connect the iPhone 15 Pro and AirPods Pro, you can see that the earphone charging indicator lights up, and the measured output power of the mobile phone is 0.6W. Using the original Apple Watch charging cable to connect the iPhone 15 Pro and Apple Watch Ultra, the measured output power of the phone is 2.06W. Overall, the charging power of the iPhone 15 Pro cell phone has not been improved compared to its predecessor, but the use of the USB Type-C physical charging port has made the charging and transmission more convenient. When it comes to transfer speed, the entire iPhone 15 series is not implemented in exactly the same way - the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max support faster data transfer (10Gbps), while the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus support USB 2 speeds (480Mbps), which are capped at the same 480Mbps as Lightning, but the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max support faster USB 3 speeds of up to 10Gbps.
4. Connect to Other Devices
With the C port, iPhone 15 can not only be connected to other Apple devices, but also can be connected to a variety of USB-C peripherals, such as USB flash drives, high-speed external storage devices, 4K displays and microphones. You can use the USB-C connector to connect your iPhone to an external display so you can watch videos, view photos, and more on a larger screen. Apple says that to connect your iPhone 15 to a high-resolution display, you must use a USB-C cable that supports USB 3.1 or higher. The cable included with all iPhone 15 models only supports USB 2, but you can purchase a USB 3.1 cable separately. With compatible cables, every iPhone 15 supports connecting to USB-C at up to 4K resolution and a 60Hz refresh rate. In addition, iPhone 15 also supports HDR display via USB-C connection. The popularity of the USB-C standard is surprising, and you might be surprised by the range of accessories you can now connect to your iPhone 15 to connect to other devices without using Apple's patented Lightning port.
5. What can We Get form Lightning to USB-C?
First of all, the biggest advantage of the transition from lightning to USB-C port on the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus is convenience, as you are now free to use the same charging cable across different Apple devices. You no longer need to ask your friends if they have the iPhone charging cable. The second is the change of cable material. Common causes of data cable damage include broken outer skin, loose shell, and blackened contacts. Broken outer skin, the most common cause, which usually occurs at the tail of the charging plug. Because when we charge our mobile phones, this location is prone to bending. The iPhone 15 updated USB-C charging cable is designed with a braided wire body, which is consistent with the previous new iPad Pro supporting cables, tightly arranged and braided, which is not easy to be damaged and has a longer lifespan. However, the disadvantage is that it is difficult to clean the dirt on the braided wire after being used for a long time.
6. How to Choose the iPhone Charger？
You may have encountered this situation before. Have you ever bought a cheap USB-C cable only to find that it doesn't do what you want it to do, whether that's data transfer or video output? USB-C has many different standards, so how to choose the right USB is also a skill. However, in addition to considering the data cable, you can also directly avoid USB-C and choose wireless charging for iPhone15. In recent years, major manufacturers have designed three-in-one charging stations that can charge all your Apple devices at the fastest speed, MagSafe pads that can securely hold your iPhone, and a cushion on the weighted base of AirPods. If you like this kind of charging station, we highly recommend considering our 3-in-1 wireless charging stand, which can simplify your charging routine and enable you to enjoy a minimalist lifestyle free from tangled cables. After folding, it is only half the size of a mobile phone and weighs only 159g. It fits easily in a bag or pocket and is a travel essential. Additionally, our 3-in-1 charging stand is equipped with 8 built-in multi-pole neodymium magnets, providing a magnetic attraction of over 800g, so you don't have to worry about dropping your phone while charging, which is completely safe. Compared with other products, the metal material makes our products the best choice in terms of texture and quality.
