Is Apple's switch to USB-C a good thing?

Divad Sanders
4 replies
In two weeks, Apple will replace Lightning with USB-C on the iPhone. Apple has long been the holdout when it comes to charging cables, sticking with its own proprietary Lightning connector while other phone makers have switched to USB-C. But that is all about to change, as Apple has confirmed that it will switch to USB-C on future iPhones. There are two potential benefits I see to this move: 1.) It will make it easier for iPhone users to share chargers and accessories with other devices that use USB-C. This could help to reduce e-waste, as people will no longer need to buy multiple chargers for different devices. A concern for myself as well. 2.) USB-C is a more versatile connector than Lightning. It can be used for both charging and data transfer, and it can also support higher power output and faster data transfer speeds. This means that iPhones with USB-C could charge faster and support more accessories. However, I also see some drawbacks to Apple's switch to USB-C: 1.) It will require iPhone users to replace their existing Lightning cables and accessories. This could be a major inconvenience, especially for those who have invested heavily in Lightning gear. 2.) There is a concern that Apple could use its control over the USB-C port to stifle innovation. For example, the company could implement a "Made for iPhone" certification program for USB-C accessories, which would require accessory makers to pay Apple a fee and meet certain standards. This could make it more difficult for smaller accessory makers to compete with Apple's own accessories. Overall, the switch to USB-C on iPhones is a mixed bag. I like the potential benefits, such as reduced e-waste and faster charging speeds. The big question for me: What am I supposed to do with my old charger?🥲 Would love to hear what you think. Is Apple's switch to USB-C a good thing?

Replies

André J
Launching soon!
I'm holding out for USB-D 😏
Samuel Deluca
I've got these AirPods and recently they've been sounding really low, even when I crank up the volume. It's a real pain because I use them for my daily workouts and the low sound is killing my vibe. Anyone know what I can do to fix this issue? If there's a fix or an app that I need to install, could you walk me through it? I'm not the best with tech stuff, so keep it simple if possible. Cheers!
Max White
I feel your pain, had the same issue with my AirPods a while ago. But don't worry, I found some simple ways to boost the volume and they worked like a charm. First, have a look at the volume control on your device, make sure it's not set too low. Also, check out the audio balance in the Accessibility settings - if it's off, it could be the culprit. If these don't do the trick, you might want to reset your AirPods to factory settings. I found a super user-friendly guide on https://setapp.com/how-to/make-airpods-louder website that walks you through how to do this. Here's the link: Setapp. Trust me, these steps are pretty easy to follow, even for us non-techies. Hope your workouts get back to being high-vibe soon!
Eric Ryan
It's great to see your thoughtful analysis of Apple's switch to USB-C. You've captured both the advantages and drawbacks well. Adapting to the change might be inconvenient initially, especially for those heavily invested in Lightning accessories, but the potential benefits in terms of reducing e-waste and improving charging speeds are promising. As for your old charger, consider recycling it through proper e-waste channels to minimize environmental impact. By the way, I'm currently looking for iPhone repair services in Barcelona. Could you recommend a reliable reparar iphone store nearby? Thanks in advance!