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USB-C is considerably bigger than Lightning while offering arguably no major benefit for an almost entirely wireless device. Think size doesn’t really matter t

USB-C is considerably bigger than Lightning while offering arguably no major benefit for an almost entirely wireless device. Think size doesn’t really matter that much? The iPhone XR actually pushes the lightning port down slightly off center to make room for the LCD display. The XR would literally be impossible to make with USB-C.

ziftface 8y ago
The obvious benefit for adopting USB-C is compatibility with other devices. It seems strange to me that almost all new mobile devices from almost all manufacturers (including some from apple) are converging on a single port while apple's best-selling product uses an incompatible port. I get there are manufacturing issues, but I think eventually they'll have to be solved somehow. Maybe no charging port and just rely on wireless charging?
- abalone 8y ago
  > The obvious benefit for adopting USB-C is compatibility with other devices. Not an obvious benefit for a largely wireless device. For the vast vast majority of people it’s only used for charging and that’s moving to wireless too.
  - ssully 8y ago
    The obvious benefit is not need a specific cable just for my iPhone. I am slowly getting more USB C cables over the last year - it would be nice if I could replace all my lightning cables, which are only used for my iPhone and iPad. It's a small benefit, but it would be nice.
    - abalone 8y ago
      You don't need a specific cable for your iPhone. You can charge it wirelessly. Regardless, USB-C would not be nicer than keeping the iPhone XR as thin as it is. Lightning really makes it possible.
MAGZine 8y ago
the original pixel is 0.2milimeters taller, 2 years older, and has a USB-C port. I was talking with an apple hardware engineer... I'm told that the jack is in some ways a limiting factor, though I'd happily take an extra .2mm of depth for universal charging :-)
- abalone 8y ago
  That's because the Pixel uses an AMOLED display. The iPhone XR uses LED which is cheaper but thicker. My point stands: Lightning's space savings are essential to the iPhone XR. Also, the iPhones do support universal charging (Qi).

ziftface 8y ago

The obvious benefit for adopting USB-C is compatibility with other devices. It seems strange to me that almost all new mobile devices from almost all manufacturers (including some from apple) are converging on a single port while apple's best-selling product uses an incompatible port. I get there are manufacturing issues, but I think eventually they'll have to be solved somehow. Maybe no charging port and just rely on wireless charging?

abalone 8y ago
> The obvious benefit for adopting USB-C is compatibility with other devices. Not an obvious benefit for a largely wireless device. For the vast vast majority of people it’s only used for charging and that’s moving to wireless too.
- ssully 8y ago
  The obvious benefit is not need a specific cable just for my iPhone. I am slowly getting more USB C cables over the last year - it would be nice if I could replace all my lightning cables, which are only used for my iPhone and iPad. It's a small benefit, but it would be nice.
  - abalone 8y ago
    You don't need a specific cable for your iPhone. You can charge it wirelessly. Regardless, USB-C would not be nicer than keeping the iPhone XR as thin as it is. Lightning really makes it possible.

MAGZine 8y ago

the original pixel is 0.2milimeters taller, 2 years older, and has a USB-C port. I was talking with an apple hardware engineer... I'm told that the jack is in some ways a limiting factor, though I'd happily take an extra .2mm of depth for universal charging :-)

abalone 8y ago
That's because the Pixel uses an AMOLED display. The iPhone XR uses LED which is cheaper but thicker. My point stands: Lightning's space savings are essential to the iPhone XR. Also, the iPhones do support universal charging (Qi).