The iPhone 15 (technically, the 17th iteration of the iconic Apple phone) comes with a big change that’s sure to annoy many of us. In the end, however, we can breathe a sigh of relief.
Allow me to unpack that. To comply with recent European regulations, the iPhone 15, announced Tuesday, will ditch the Lightning connector that has been the way iPhones have been charged for 11 years. In its place will be another oval connector: USB-C.
For the average technology user, change is not fun. This means that when Apple customers buy their next iPhones, they won’t be able to plug in all the Lightning accessories they’ve collected, such as charging cables, speaker docks, and earbuds. They will have to replace those with new products that use USB-C connectors to plug into the new iPhones.
This transition feels like a bit of déjà vu. In 2012, Apple killed off the relatively bulky 30-pin connector on iPhones to switch to Lightning, a slimmer and faster charging technology, rendering many speakers and chargers obsolete.
The difference this time is that most of us already have a USB-C cable. Modern headphones, game consoles and many laptops, including Apple’s MacBooks, have long used USB-C as a standard charging port. The iPhone is one of the holdouts.
Why is this happening now? Last year, the European Union announced a mandate requiring all smartphone makers to use USB-C as a standard charging connector by 2024. In theory, this would allow consumers to buy of fewer electrical cables, which, regulators say, can reduce environmental waste. Thierry Breton, a European commissioner involved in the law, said on LinkedIn this month: “A common charger is common sense.”
So we’re headed for an era of standardization where one type of charger works with most of our electronics, which would be ideal. Many of us are familiar with the scenario where someone carries an iPhone cable but a family member or friend needs another (likely a USB-C one) to recharge their non-Apple phone or computer. Those days, in theory, are gone.
But as is always the case with any major technological change, it’s not as simple as it sounds. New dangers lie ahead — including the ability to destroy your phone with the wrong USB-C wire, phone repair experts say. If you’re only going to bring one cable, it’s more important than ever to be smart about what you buy.
“Charger damage is a real thing,” says Jessa Jones, the owner of iPad Rehab, a mobile phone and tablet repair shop. “It’s very common, and it’s something you have to watch out for.”
Here’s what to know:
Not all USB-C cables are created equal.
The first step is to stop thinking about modern charging cables as piping wires.
Quality chargers are essentially electronics with tiny circuit boards inside them. In Apple’s official Lightning cable, there are two chips: One certifies that the cable is made by Apple, while the other serves as a fuse that isolates damage to the charger. In the event of a power change, for example, only the charger will be damaged and not the phone itself, Ms. Jones.
The problem with USB-C cables is that while they usually look the same, cheaper, lower-quality cords don’t offer as much protection for your device. They may have the correct oval connector, but inside, they lack the chips to protect your phone.
So if you need a USB-C cable, don’t get just any cheap wire, like the $5 you find at a gas station kiosk. Invest in a durable cable from a reputable company. Brands like Anker, Belkin and Amazon Basics are known for their high-quality power cables that cost about $9 to $30, according to John Bumstead, the owner of RDKL Inc., a repair shop that repairs MacBooks. Buy cables from trusted retailers or directly from the brands themselves — and avoid buying used wires on sites like eBay.
Be careful what you plug into.
Many USB-C cables lack chips to restrict the current that powers your phone. So if you plug it into a source that charges at a higher voltage than your phone accepts, you could electrocute your phone, Ms. Jones.
The lesson here is to be careful what you plug into your cord. Those USB ports embedded in airplane back seats, hotel room walls or car consoles are a big no-no because it’s unclear what their charging rates are. It’s safest to just plug your USB-C cable into a quality charging brick that protects your phone. Wirecutter, our sister publication, recommends USB-C power bricks from Anker, RAVPower and Spigen that do a great job of quickly charging your phone without damaging it.
Always have wireless.
For iPhone owners who don’t plan to upgrade right away but need new chargers, the most cost-effective alternative to buying another Lightning cable is wireless. The EU order applies only to wires that plug directly into devices — not to wireless charging devices that recharge your phone via magnetic induction, such as Apple’s puck-shaped MagSafe, which magnetizes on the back of your phone, or wireless charging pads and stands from brands like Mophie, Anker and Belkin. So those are good buys for the foreseeable future.
Bottom Line
As long as you own a sturdy cable and a good charging brick, you’ll probably be happy with this move. The USB-C charging standard is faster at transferring data than Lightning, and can have some cool perks, like the ability to plug your phone directly into an external display to view photos.
Best of all, when you’re traveling or commuting, you don’t have to carry a jungle of wires in your bag, and if you leave your cable at home, chances are you’ll be close to someone who carries both.