Apple har en tilbøjelighed til at skabe sit eget proprietære tilbehør, og Lightning -opladningskablet er et eksempel på dette. Spørgsmålet er – hvordan klarer det sig i forhold til det mere udbredte USB-C stik?

For at gøre det klart, iPhones understøtter ikke USB-C. Uanset^{(USB-C. No)} hvor fremragende du synes, USB-C- standarden er, kan du ikke skifte til at bruge et andet kabel. Alligevel er her en hypotetisk sammenligning mellem Lightning og USB-C .

Lightning vs USB-C: The Rundown

Ud fra specifikationerne alene er USB-C den klare vinder. Den bærer mere strøm, kan overføre data meget hurtigere og kan forbindes med en bredere række af enheder. Men det er kun en del af billedet.

Lightning blev udviklet af Apple for at tilbyde et slankere alternativ til den mere omfangsrige USB , og det gælder også i dag. Ydermere er Lightning-portene i sig selv en smule mere holdbare, da forbindelsestappene er blevet aflastet til lightning-stikket.

I slutningen af ​​dagen optager begge stik meget forskellige nicher. USB-C er den bedste opladnings- og tilslutningsstandard for de enheder, der understøtter det, mens Lightning driver den ultraslanke iPhone gennem væsentligt mindre porte.

Lyn vs USB-C: Et blik

Apple Lightning	USB-C
Launched in 2012	Launched in 2014
Proprietary standard only used in Apple devices	Supported by a wide variety of devices, from smartphones to laptops
Maximum transfer speed of 480Mbps equivalent to USB 2.0	Maximum transfer speed of 40Gbps with Thunderbolt 3 and USB 4
8-pin reversible connector	24-pin reversible connector
Can provide 12 W of power, optionally extendable to 20 W with a USB-C to Lightning cable and power adapter	Can provide up to 240 W of power, with the USB Power Delivery technology enabling fast charging
Can interface with USB, HDMI, and VGA with adapters	Can interface with USB, DVI, HDMI, VGA, and DisplayPort with adapters

Lyn: Ældre, men funktionel

Apple udtænkte Lightning - standarden i 2012 som en forbedring i forhold til den gængse USB-A- teknologi, hvilket gav iPhone 5 et slankere dock-stik end dens forgængere. Med overførselshastigheder på toppen af ​​USB 2.0 -grænserne blev det betragtet som et meget bedre alternativ end mikro - USB -porte, der findes i Samsungs telefoner.

Så kom USB-^(USB-C) C'en ud, og pludselig var der en bedre standard USB - mulighed. USB -enheder af alle slags skiftede til den nye teknologi med dens reversible stik og forbedrede overførselsmuligheder.

Apple kunne selvfølgelig ikke bare kassere mange års arbejde så let og beholdt den ældre port. Den eneste ændring var introduktionen af ​​induktiv opladning i iPhone 8, hvilket giver brugerne et alternativ til Lightning .

Selv nu, hvor USB 4 hurtigt bliver en realitet, sender Apple stadig iPhone 13 med Lightning- porte, og ignorerer offentlig kritik over deres modvilje mod at tage bedre teknologi i brug. Og selvom EU's nye direktiv om at reducere e-affald ved at sikre universelle standarder i sidste ende vil tvinge Apple til at falde på linje, er der stadig år tilbage, før det bliver bindende.

USB-C: Et forvirrende skridt i den rigtige retning^{(Right Direction)}

Hovedproblemet med USB-C er den forvirrende terminologi. Denne nye variation i USB- standarden eksisterer sammen med standardnummererede versioner, hvilket skaber flere versioner med forskellige hastigheder og funktioner^{(multiple versions with differing speeds and features)} .

Det eneste, der antydes af USB Type-C , er det fysiske design af stikket - de faktiske specifikationer afhænger af, hvilken version af USB eller Thunderbolt^{( USB or Thunderbolt)} den vælger at implementere. For eksempel kan versioner, der understøtter Thunderbolt 3 , give overførselshastigheder på 40 Gbps, med den mere almindelige USB 3.1 i stand til 10 Gbps.

Selv USB 3.0-standarden^{(USB 3.0 standard)} tilbyder dataoverførselshastigheder på 5 Gbps , hvilket er en kæmpe opgradering fra Apple Lightnings 480 Mbps . Denne højere båndbredde tillader også USB-C-stik at forbinde med DisplayPort^{(USB-C connectors to interface with DisplayPort)} A/V-streams i 8K opløsning.

Kraftfaktoren

Lad os se det i øjnene – ingen bruger længere disse kabler til dataoverførsel. Det er meget mere bekvemt at overføre data via et trådløst netværk. Den eneste resterende brug af disse standarder er til opladning.

USB-C- standarden er designet med dette i tankerne. Stik, der udnytter USB Power Delivery- teknologien, kan levere op til 100 W strøm, hvilket er nok til at drive selv bærbare computere og konsoller, for ikke at sige noget om mobile enheder. Den nyeste version af teknologien kan byde på 240 W, hvilket endnu ikke er set meget i praksis.

Lightning kan på den anden side bare klare sølle 12 W. Du kan bruge et USB-C til Lightning-kabel sammen med en strømadapter til at presse 20 W ud^{(use a USB-C to Lightning cable alongside a power adapter to squeeze out 20 W)} , men det er alt. Det betyder, at iOS-enheder oplader meget langsommere end de nyeste Android-telefoner, selv med hurtig opladning.

Hvorfor bruger Apple ikke USB-C?

Hvis USB-C- standarden er så stor en forbedring i forhold til den ældre Lightning , hvorfor migrerer Apple så ikke til den nye teknologi? ^(Apple)Et mindre velgørende syn ville tilskrive det hele grådighed, selvom vi tror, ​​der er mere på spil her.

Det rigtige sted, det forkerte tidspunkt

Den første ting at huske på er, at Lightning blev lanceret to år før USB-C . Det betyder, at teknologien allerede var integreret i iPhones og blev brugt, før Apple fik en chance for at implementere den nyere version af USB .

Som følge heraf ville skiftet til USB-C betyde, at Lightning forsvandt kun få år efter dens succesfulde lancering, hvilket ville give et stort slag for producenter, der allerede producerer opladere og kabler. Så Apple holdt fast.

Ubegrænset kraft, men begrænset behov

En anden faktor er nytten. Lightning er primært beregnet til at oplade iPhones, og det er ret godt til dette job. Selvfølgelig^(Sure) kunne et USB-C- kabel bære mere strøm, men iPhones har ikke brug for så meget strøm i første omgang. Så der er lidt at vinde ved at gå over til en anden standard.

I enheder, hvor den større watt kunne være gavnlig, havde Apple ingen betænkeligheder ved at tilføje USB-C-porte. For ikke at nævne, at Apple -enheder som iPad Pro og MacBook Pro^{(iPad Pro and MacBook Pro)} også er meget større og nemt kan rumme den større portstørrelse uden problemer.

Trådløst er fremtiden

Hvornår var sidste gang, hvor du rent faktisk sluttede din telefon til en pc for at overføre en fil? Trådløse^(Wireless) forbindelser er allerede blevet normen og henviste kablede teknologier til rollen som opladning alene.

Og med fremkomsten af ​​trådløse opladningsmuligheder^{(wireless charging)} som MagSafe , falmer selv denne use case. Det er muligt, at Apple planlægger simpelthen at gøre op med alle former for porte i fremtiden, hvilket gør iPhone til en helt trådløs enhed.

Lightning eller USB-C: Hvilken^(Which) er den bedste standard^{(Better Standard)} ?

I en imaginær telefon, der indeholder begge porte, er tilslutning af et USB-C- kabel den smarte beslutning. USB-C kan ikke kun overføre data hurtigere, men den kan også overføre mere strøm, og oplade telefonen hurtigere.

Lyn er en forældet standard, der kun er i live og sparker takket være den isolerede natur af Apples^(Apple) teknologiske økosystem og det relativt lave strømbehov for Apple - produkter som iPhone eller iPod. Mere kraftfulde enheder som Macbook bruger allerede USB-C^{(Macbook are already using USB-C)} med stor effekt.

Af gyldige årsager eller ej, har Apples modvilje mod at opgradere iPhones opladningsporte ikke gjort nogen glad for den. Kun tiden vil vise, om virksomheden endelig vil blinke eller bare træde helt væk fra kablet opladning.

Lightning vs USB C: What’s Different (And Which Is Better)?

Apple has a propensity for creatіng its own proprietary accessories, and the Lightning charging cable is an example of this. The question is – how doeѕ it fare against the more widely used USB-C connector?

To be clear, iPhones do not support USB-C. No matter how excellent you find the USB-C standard to be, you cannot switch to using a different cable. Still, here is a hypothetical comparison between Lightning and USB-C.

Lightning vs USB-C: The Rundown

Going by the specifications alone, USB-C is the clear winner. It carries more power, can transmit data much faster, and can connect with a wider range of devices. But that’s only part of the picture.

Lightning was developed by Apple to offer a slimmer alternative to the bulkier USB, and that remains true even today. Furthermore, Lightning ports themselves are a bit more durable, since the connecting tabs have been offloaded to the lightning connector.

At the end of the day, both connectors occupy very different niches. USB-C is the best charging and connectivity standard for the devices that support it, while Lightning powers the ultra-slim iPhone through significantly smaller ports.

Lightning vs USB-C: At a Glance

Apple Lightning	USB-C
Launched in 2012	Launched in 2014
Proprietary standard only used in Apple devices	Supported by a wide variety of devices, from smartphones to laptops
Maximum transfer speed of 480Mbps equivalent to USB 2.0	Maximum transfer speed of 40Gbps with Thunderbolt 3 and USB 4
8-pin reversible connector	24-pin reversible connector
Can provide 12 W of power, optionally extendable to 20 W with a USB-C to Lightning cable and power adapter	Can provide up to 240 W of power, with the USB Power Delivery technology enabling fast charging
Can interface with USB, HDMI, and VGA with adapters	Can interface with USB, DVI, HDMI, VGA, and DisplayPort with adapters

Lightning: Older, But Functional

Apple devised the Lightning standard in 2012 as an improvement over the prevalent USB-A technology, giving the iPhone 5 a leaner dock connector than its predecessors. Offering transfer speeds at the peak of USB 2.0’s limits, it was considered a much better alternative than micro USB ports found in Samsung’s phones.

Then the USB-C came out, and suddenly, there was a better standard USB option. USB devices of all sorts switched to the new technology with its reversible connectors and improved transfer capabilities.

Apple, of course, couldn’t just discard years of work so easily and kept the older port. The only change was the introduction of inductive charging in the iPhone 8, giving users an alternative to Lightning.

Even now, with USB 4 quickly becoming a reality, Apple is still shipping the iPhone 13 with Lightning ports, ignoring public criticism over their reluctance to adopt better technology. And while the EU’s new directive to reduce e-waste by ensuring universal standards will eventually force Apple to fall into line, there are still years to go before it becomes binding.

USB-C: A Confusing Step in the Right Direction

The main problem with USB-C is the confusing terminology. This new variation in the USB standard exists alongside the standard numbered versions, creating multiple versions with differing speeds and features.

The only thing implied by USB Type-C is the physical design of the connector – the actual specs depend on which version of USB or Thunderbolt it chooses to implement. For example, versions supporting Thunderbolt 3 can give transfer speeds of 40Gbps, with the more common USB 3.1 capable of 10Gbps.

Even the USB 3.0 standard offers data transfer speeds of 5 Gbps, which is a whopping upgrade from Apple Lightning’s 480 Mbps. This higher bandwidth also allows USB-C connectors to interface with DisplayPort A/V streams at 8K resolution.

The Power Factor

Let’s face it – no one uses these cables for data transfer anymore. It is much more convenient to transfer the data through a wireless network. The only remaining use of these standards is for charging.

The USB-C standard has been designed with this in mind. Connectors leveraging the USB Power Delivery technology can supply up to 100 W of power, which is enough to power even laptops and consoles, to say nothing about mobile devices. The latest version of the technology can offer 240 W, which is yet to be seen much in practice.

Lightning, on the other hand, can just manage a measly 12 W. You can use a USB-C to Lightning cable alongside a power adapter to squeeze out 20 W, but that’s all. This means iOS devices charge much slower than the latest Android phones, even with fast charging.

Why Doesn’t Apple Use USB-C?

If the USB-C standard is such a big improvement over the older Lightning, why doesn’t Apple migrate to the new technology? A less charitable view would attribute it all to greed, though we think there is more at play here.

Right Place, Wrong Time

The first thing to keep in mind is that Lightning was launched two years before USB-C. This means that the technology was already integrated into iPhones and being used before Apple got a chance to implement the newer version of USB.

As a result, making the switch to USB-C would mean ditching Lightning merely a few years after its successful launch, dealing a big blow to manufacturers already producing the chargers and cables. So Apple kept steady.

Unlimited Power, But Limited Need

Another factor is the utility. Lightning is primarily meant for charging iPhones, and it is pretty good at this job. Sure, a USB-C cable could carry more power, but iPhones don’t need that much power in the first place. So there is little to be gained by transitioning to a different standard.

In devices where the bigger wattage could be beneficial, Apple had no qualms about adding USB-C ports. Not to mention that Apple devices like the iPad Pro and MacBook Pro are also much bigger, and can easily accommodate the larger port size without issues.

Wireless Is the Future

When was the last time when you actually connected your phone to a PC to transfer a file? Wireless connections have already become the norm, relegating wired technologies to the role of charging alone.

And with the rise of wireless charging options like MagSafe, even that use case is fading. It is possible that Apple plans to simply do away with all forms of ports in the future, making the iPhone a completely wireless device.

Lightning or USB-C: Which Is the Better Standard?

In an imaginary phone that contains both ports, plugging in a USB-C cable is the smart decision. Not only can USB-C transfer data more rapidly, but it can also transmit more power, charging the phone faster as well.

Lightning is an obsolete standard that is only alive and kicking thanks to the insulated nature of Apple’s tech ecosystem, and the relatively low power needs of Apple products like the iPhone or the iPod. More powerful devices like the Macbook are already using USB-C to great effect.

For valid reasons or not, Apple’s reluctance to upgrade the iPhone’s charging ports hasn’t endeared it to anyone. Only time would tell if the company will finally blink or just step away from wired charging entirely.

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