4 ms·

Why didn't Apple use Lightening vs. USB 3.0-C on iPhone 7?

15 points by noahmbarr 10y ago

ojm 10y ago
The iPhone 7s can have it. Apple can do a massive launch, with the only difference being the charge port: now charge your MacBook and iPhone with the same charger! rapturous applause. (I'd actually love it, I use a MacBook and a iPhone. One charger would be great).
- ekux44 10y ago
  But can they do that after pushing everyone to lightning headphones?
  - ojm 10y ago
    Probably not. Looks like will need two cables unless switch to an Android.
- lostlogin 10y ago
  I use an Air and an iPhone. MagSafe on the phone would be amazing (ideally MagSafe version one though).
  - h1d 10y ago
    phones seem too light to make sense with magsafe.
- zimpenfish 10y ago
  I already use the same charger for my MacBook and iPhone - admittedly with two different cables (USB:USB-C, USB:Lightning; or I could use USB-C:USB-C and USB-C:Lightning if I wanted to.)
ra 10y ago
A better question is why even use lightening? IMHO it's an anti-feature not to use USB-C on iPhone.
stephenr 10y ago
Given that they dropped space grey for black, one could argue that apple actually used darkening on the iPhone 7. Thankyou thankyou.
kaolinite 10y ago
Not saying that these are valid reasons however two that spring to mind are thickness (USB-C is fairly significantly thicker) and elegance (one could argue that Lightning is a more beautiful and slightly more pleasant to use connector). In addition, Apple controls Lightning completely so when you buy an accessory that uses Lightning, as long as it isn't counterfeit, it has been tested by Apple and is guaranteed to work. They can't guarantee that with USB-C. That said, it's an awkward situation. Overall I'd like USB-C on my phone however if they were going to do it, surely it would have been with the iPhone 7. It wouldn't be great if they announced it with the 7S after people had gone out and bought Lightning headphones.
MeryTerin456 10y ago
Apple controls Lightning completely so when you buy an accessory that uses Lightning, as long as it isn't counterfeit, it has been tested by Apple and is guaranteed to work. They can't guarantee that with USB.
- Jonnax 10y ago
  They also get royalties for every accessory sold with Lightning, I imagine.

15 points by noahmbarr 10y ago

ojm 10y ago

The iPhone 7s can have it. Apple can do a massive launch, with the only difference being the charge port: now charge your MacBook and iPhone with the same charger! rapturous applause. (I'd actually love it, I use a MacBook and a iPhone. One charger would be great).

ekux44 10y ago
But can they do that after pushing everyone to lightning headphones?
- ojm 10y ago
  Probably not. Looks like will need two cables unless switch to an Android.
lostlogin 10y ago
I use an Air and an iPhone. MagSafe on the phone would be amazing (ideally MagSafe version one though).
- h1d 10y ago
  phones seem too light to make sense with magsafe.
zimpenfish 10y ago
I already use the same charger for my MacBook and iPhone - admittedly with two different cables (USB:USB-C, USB:Lightning; or I could use USB-C:USB-C and USB-C:Lightning if I wanted to.)

ra 10y ago

A better question is why even use lightening? IMHO it's an anti-feature not to use USB-C on iPhone.

stephenr 10y ago

Given that they dropped space grey for black, one could argue that apple actually used darkening on the iPhone 7. Thankyou thankyou.

kaolinite 10y ago

Not saying that these are valid reasons however two that spring to mind are thickness (USB-C is fairly significantly thicker) and elegance (one could argue that Lightning is a more beautiful and slightly more pleasant to use connector). In addition, Apple controls Lightning completely so when you buy an accessory that uses Lightning, as long as it isn't counterfeit, it has been tested by Apple and is guaranteed to work. They can't guarantee that with USB-C. That said, it's an awkward situation. Overall I'd like USB-C on my phone however if they were going to do it, surely it would have been with the iPhone 7. It wouldn't be great if they announced it with the 7S after people had gone out and bought Lightning headphones.

MeryTerin456 10y ago

Apple controls Lightning completely so when you buy an accessory that uses Lightning, as long as it isn't counterfeit, it has been tested by Apple and is guaranteed to work. They can't guarantee that with USB.

Jonnax 10y ago
They also get royalties for every accessory sold with Lightning, I imagine.