Apple’s proprietary Lightning connector and the increasingly popular USB-C connector are two of the most common ports for charging and syncing smartphones, tablets, and other devices. But which one is better? There are pros and cons to both Lightning and USB-C.
Speed
When it comes to data transfer speeds, USB-C has the edge over Lightning. USB-C supports USB 3.1, which has maximum speeds of 10Gbps. Lightning is currently limited to USB 2.0 speeds of up to 480Mbps. This makes USB-C significantly faster for transferring large files like photos and videos.
| Connector | Max Transfer Speed |
|---|---|
| USB-C | 10Gbps |
| Lightning | 480Mbps |
However, for charging speeds, Lightning and USB-C are fairly comparable. Lightning supports up to 18 watts of power delivery, while USB-C can do up to 100 watts. But most mobile devices can only charge at 15-30 watts anyway, so both connectors are fast enough for charging modern phones and tablets.
Compatibility
One major advantage of USB-C is its universality. It can be found on Android smartphones, Windows laptops, MacBooks, iPads, and more. Lightning, on the other hand, is exclusively used on Apple devices like iPhones, AirPods, and some iPads.
This means if you have a USB-C charger, you can charge a wide range of devices from different brands. But a Lightning cable only works with Apple products. USB-C’s cross-compatibility makes it much more convenient for households with multiple devices.
Durability
The Lightning connector features a tab design that is rated for over 10,000 insertions and extractions. By comparison, a USB-C connector is only rated for about 5,000 insertions on average. So theoretically, Lightning cables should last almost twice as long as USB-C cables.
However, real-world usage shows Lightning cables often fray and break down over time as well. So while Lightning may have a durability edge on paper, both cable types need periodic replacing with heavy use.
Ease of Use
Lightning and USB-C are both reversible connectors, meaning there is no “wrong” way to plug them in. This makes both very user-friendly compared to older USB connectors. However, Lightning does have a slight advantage, as its rounded tab design allows it to be plugged in effortlessly without looking.
USB-C has a sharper rectangular design that requires glancing at the connector to align properly before plugging in. So Lightning may have a slight edge in terms of ease of use.
Other Pros of Lightning
- Compact size
- Allows one-handed use of devices while charging
- Wide accessory ecosystem (cables, docks, etc.)
Other Pros of USB-C
- Universally compatible with laptops, tablets, and desktops
- Can transmit audio, video, data, and power through one cable
- Projects a more tech-forward image than proprietary Lightning
Winner: USB-C, but Lightning Still Has Advantages
Overall, USB-C wins out as the better and more future-proof connector technology compared to Lightning. The universality, higher speeds, and ability to deliver power and data over a single cable make it the standard that Apple should eventually switch to on iPhones and iPads. But Lightning is still very user-friendly and has a reliability edge for now.
When Apple May Switch to USB-C
Rumors suggest Apple may switch to USB-C on iPhones in 2023 or 2024. The European Union is also considering legislation that would mandate USB-C on all new mobile devices by 2024. So Lightning’s days seem numbered, but some advantages like size and ease-of-use may remain.
Conclusion
In summary, while Lightning has served Apple well for over a decade, USB-C is clearly the future. USB-C’s wider adoption across platforms like Android, Windows, and even on MacBooks makes it a better choice to become the standard on all mobile devices. But there are still some areas where Lightning maintains an advantage over USB-C, especially when it comes to one-handed use and durability. Overall though, the scale tips in favor of USB-C as the superior modern connector for speed, compatibility, and versatility.