Much of the talk about the impending release of the new iPhone 15 has centered on the cord, and the death of the Lightning plug and the rise of USB-C.
Tech heads have known about this change for some time, which is being driven by the European Union’s mandate that all electronic devices standardize on the USB-C cord.
Like all things electronic, this standardization comes with both pros and cons.
USB-C allows iPhone users to do much more than charge their phones.
One of the biggest pros is that the cord will allow users to connect their phones to external devices for high-quality transfers of photos and video.
Users can connect iPhones to external displays such as monitors or televisions using a USB-C Multiport Adapter.
This is something Lightning cords can’t do which has forced users to send images and video over the Internet or by using Airdrop.
All of these pros come with added complexity which is something that is antithetical to Apple’s motto “Simiplicity is the ultimate sophistication.”
iPhone users have to consider the cube that the USB-C plugs into.
Many won’t provide enough juice to properly charge the phone requiring an investment cube that can handle 20W or above.
Likewise, a single cord might not be enough for both charging and data transfers.
Cords will be rated for transfer rates up to 40 Gbps so users really need to consider what they want to use the cord when they buy accessories.
The annoucement will, no doubt, usher in a glut of low cost options for Lightning to USB-C adapters.
But don’t jump too quickly because these adapter might also not provide proper charges.
With so many options available, it is always wise to read the fine print and invest in a little higher quality instead of grabbing the first, cheapest product that claims it can handle all your needs.
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