Lightning is also limited in how much power it can carry.

And even then Apple never released a video adapter than can go above 1080p. This means slow data transfers when syncing files between an iPhone and a computer or when moving RAW photos from a memory card to an iPad.ĭid you know that there is actually a Lightning-based card reader that runs at USB 3.0 speeds? So faster transfers are possible, but apparently it is a difficult feat to pull off and only iPad Pros support it. We think Apple’s lineup is a good illustration of why USB-C is so good. The one big holdout is Apple, which still uses Lightning on its iPhones, AirPods and EarPods – that’s it, everything else has moved on to USB-C, including the remote for the new Apple TV. Most smartphone makers readily adopted USB-C, just like they did microUSB before that. Early on microUSB was the connector of choice, but with the arrival of USB Type C, or USB-C for short, the industry shifted over to the new standard.Īnd thanks to some EU regulation that comes into effect at the end of 2024, USB-C is mandatory for basically all portable electronics (with some exceptions for the smallest devices like smartwatches). How did we get here? Well, for years now the European Union has been trying to coax electronics manufacturers into settling on a common standard to avoid the mess (and waste) that proprietary connectors create. This multi-function port can do just about everything – it can charge devices, transfer data, handle audio and video output, it even lets you plug in accessories. For use with our USB 3.1 Gen 2 devices, the keywords willl be 'USB 3.1 Gen 2' and '10Gbps'.The battle for the smartphone wired connector is over and USB-C is the way forward. For use with our Thunderbolt 3 devices, the keywords will be 'Thunderbolt 3' and '40Gbps'. The table with the cable features above is for reference only and there might be different variations available in the market. When purchasing a new cable, check the specifications carefully. To use a USB device with a USB-C connector, we recommend using either a USB cable that supports 10Gbps or a Thunderbolt cable that also supports USB 3.1 Gen 2. For the best transfer rates and to make full use of the Thunderbolt 3 interface, we recommend using a cable that supports 40Gbps. To use a Thunderbolt 3 product from Akitio, a Thunderbolt 3 cable is required. USB-C stands for the shape and type of connector, which is the same for all USB-C cables but not all cables support the same kind of protocols and transfer speeds. FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions - Knowledge Base

Usb 2 vs usb 3 charging