If technology doesn't consume every waking moment of your life chances are you're wondering what all the sudden fuss is about Apple moving away from Lightning to USB-C charging on the iPhone 15? If that's you, you've come to the right place.
What is USB-C?
Before we go further, what is USB-C anyway? USB itself stands for "Universal Serial Bus" and it's an industry standard that outlines the specifications for the very interfaces that we use to connect, transfer and power devices. USB-C is just one type of connector and the latest, it introduced back in 2014. The following image illustrates the various different USB connector types.
Before USB-C most cables had two different ends. An A end for the "host" and a B end for the device. USB-C drops this entirely in favour of the same connector at both ends meaning it can be used either way round.
USB-C is versatile and can replace the functions of:
- 3.5mm audio jacks
- HDMI
- DisplayPort
- USB-A
- USB-B
Chances are you've probably already got a few USB-C cables lying around your place. Some of the devices other than iPhone 15 that can use USB-C for various purposes include:
- Smartphones
- Laptops
- Tablets
- Wireless earbuds
- Portable hard drives
- TVs
- Monitors
- Microphones
- DSLR camera
Benefits of USB-C
The biggest benefit by far of USB-C is its ubiquity. As we've already listed it's available on so many different kinds of devices which means in many cases you're less likely to need to carry as many cables around or where you do, they're all at least the same type and readily interchangeable.
Other benefits include the previously mentioned reversible nature, higher charging rates, as well as the ability to transfer data at higher rates including up to 4K video.
Ways you can use iPhone 15's USB-C with other Apple products
USB-C on the iPhone 15 range opens up a whole world of possibilities. With a USB-C cable and your iPhone, you could charge another small device, your AirPods (with USB-C charging port), your Apple Watch (with an Apple Watch Magnetic Fast Charger), or even another smartphone.
iPhone 15 users with USB-C compatible displays can take advantage of the DisplayPort protocol to show up to 4K resolution. With the right connection, you could essentially use your iPhone as a sort of jury-rigg set-top box to stream content. All of this makes these mini-computers we carry around in our pockets all the more useful in a pinch.
USB-C cables and chargers
So can you really use any old USB-C cable and charger on the market? Yes, and no. It's best to look at products that have USB-IF certification. The USB-IF (USB Implementers Forum) will test USB-C products submitted to it to make sure they comply with the standards it sets out.
Cables and chargers can be rated to work for different power outputs. A 20W USB-C power charging brick will supply enough juice to fast charge your iPhone 15. When it comes to cables most support between 18W and 20W to start and cost around $15 to $20. Prices creep up when you add length. The charge cable that comes in the box with your new iPhone 15 is a 1m cable that might not suit everyone.
The simplest way to make sure the product you're purchasing is safe is to buy from a tried and trusted manufacturer such as the ones below. This table should give you an idea of how much length and power compatibility impact the price of the USB-C cables and chargers.
| Brand / Name | Power | Ports | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cygnett AC Wall Charger | 20W | 1 | $25.64 | |
| Apple USB-C Power Adaptor | 20W | 1 | $29 | |
| OtterBox Dual Port Wall Charger | 50W | 2 | $53.20 | |
| Belkin BoostCharge Dual USB-C Wall Charger | 30W | 2 | $55.95 | |
| Anker USB-C Fast Charger | 65W | 1 | $59.99 | |
| Belkin Dual USB-C Wall Charger with GaN | 65W | 2 | $68 |
| Brand / Name | Power | Length | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple USB-C Charging Cable | 20W | 1m | $14.90 | |
| Belkin Fast Charge Cable | 18W | 1m | $19.95 | |
| Native Union Belt Cable | 60W | 1.2m | $33 | |
| Cygnett Armoured USB-C Cable |
100W | 2m | $34 | |
| Belkin Connect Cable | 100W | 0.8m | $41.13 | |
| Native Union Belt Cable Pro | 240W | 2.4m | $55 |
You can check to see if a certain product is certified using the Product Search tool from USB-IF.
What about data transfer?
The USB-C connector type has compatibility with multiple USB standards that determine performance. This includes USB 2.0, 3.0, 3.2 and USB 4. In order to take advantage of the high-speed data transfer from the iPhone 15 Pro models you'll need a cable that supports at least 10Gbps speed. This includes the standards USB 3.1 or USB 3.2.
USB-C FAQs
Why is Apple changing to USB-C?
Apple is changing over to USB-C for charging to comply with European Union regulations. In 2022 the European Union introduced a requirement for all smartphone manufacturers to use UBS-C as a standard charging connector by 2024. This was done with the aim of reducing environmental waste as well as standardising electronics.
What is the difference between USB and USB-C?
USB or USB Type-A to be more accurate is the connector system most people are familiar with, it can be used for data transfer and power delivery. Because of it's rectangular design with pin connectors on one side you have to make sure it's the right side up to make a connection.
By contrast, USB Type-C is more compact and has "reversible connectivity" it doesn't matter which orientation it's in. It's more powerful than USB-A, powerful enough in some cases to fulfil the same function as an HDMI cable in transmitting images and sound to a display.
Do I need to buy a new charger for the iPhone 15?
No, only if you don't have a USB-C charging brick already. While Apple stopped including charging bricks with new iPhones a few years back the iPhone 15 models do still ship with a USB-C charging cable.
Any USB-C charging brick with at least 20W capacity like the one Apple sells should do the trick if you have an iPhone, iPad Air, or iPad Pro from the last couple of years chances are you already have one.
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