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Other In defense of the lightning port...

zakarhino

zakarhino

Contributor
Original poster
Sep 13, 2014
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I don't want USB C on my iPhone. Lightning is a significantly better port design in terms of rigidity/longevity. I charge my 3 year old iPad Pro every day using lightning and the port is still rock solid, literally. There's no wiggle, the 'click' when plugging the cable in is just as reliable as the day I got it. I feel like I could continue to to use this port for the next 3 years and it will be just as rigid as it is today. The only real problem I've ever had with lightning is that the cable frays (a famous problem), otherwise, it's brilliant.

Contrast that with USB C on my MacBook Pro, within a MONTH of use the port started to loosen and the cable wiggles around a lot. Within a few months of daily use, my 2016 MacBook Pro ports were so loose that sometimes the charging cable would slightly unplug without me knowing. Towards the end of its life, the cables were so loose that the 'snap' effect of plugging the charger in had completely disappeared. I purchased a new 2018 Pro around 2 months ago and the ports are already starting to become loose (my charger wiggles around about a millimeter in each direction). It's just a matter of time before this laptop's ports also become incapable of securely holding the charge cable in place. Given the short lived durability of USB C, I don't want it on my iPhone unless Apple does something to strengthen the port.

Has anyone else had a similar experience with USB C? Have your ports gotten loose too?
 
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I've noticed the same thing with my MBP, though it took much longer than a couple of months for the ports to start to feel looser than when they were new. I've had it since 2016 and they're all still serviceable, though one is looser than the others.

I can understand the appeal of sticking with an interface that doesn't happen to, but I really want the faster transfer speeds you get with USB-C (I like to make iTunes backups of my phones, and for a phone with half a terabyte of storage, that takes a while over lightning. :(

Here's hoping the USB-C ports on the phone (whether they appear this year or next .. probably next) are less prone to getting loose over time.
 
People simply doesn't know what they want.
What people really want is for Apple to bundle a lightning to USB-C cable with the iPhone. This solves all the criticism how a new iPhone cannot be connected to a new Macbook out of the box. Boom, done deal.

People are simply confused with USB-C, and for some reason thinks the iPhone needs to go USB-C for it to be able to connect with the new Macbooks.

USB-C itself is a mess. Look at Android. Many phones have USB-C jack, but still USB2.0 type. The audio output compatibility is a huge mess that one USB-C headphone that works for one device may not work with another device. Then there's the plethora of fast charging where everybody is trying to put their version of it. It's just a huge mess, and for what, just for a phone?

Apple's lightning is already better for the iPhone. It's smaller and more compact.
 
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The Lightning plug has a couple of dimples on either side which lodge into crevices within the port. I think this gives it the secure 'grip' when plugged in.

I like how you can still disconnect it with two fingers leveraged up against the device.

The only USB-C device I have is the iPad Pro 11" & so far so good. I'm not sure if the MacBook Pro's have a dodgy USB-C port, but the iPad seems pretty secure for now..

I'd like all my IOS devices to use the same cable, so would prefer USB-C on the iPhone sooner than later.
 
Ralfi said:
The Lightning plug has a couple of dimples on either side which lodge into crevices within the port. I think this gives it the secure 'grip' when plugged in.

I like how you can still disconnect it with two fingers leveraged up against the device.
Click to expand...

This is my preferred method of disconnect, actually. Eliminates cord fraying.

The only USB-C device I have is the iPad Pro 11" & so far so good. I'm not sure if the MacBook Pro's have a dodgy USB-C port, but the iPad seems pretty secure for now..
Click to expand...

This is a good point. My 12.9" iPad Pro's USB-C is still nice and solid.

I'd like all my IOS devices to use the same cable, so would prefer USB-C on the iPhone sooner than later.
Click to expand...

My feeling as well.
 
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I'm very surprised that Apple hasn't come up with a Lightning 2 port (in a way that FW400 became FW800; just same interface). I think more importantly than USB-C compatibility of a connector is the data speeds as well as the faster charging that comes along with USB-C vs Lightning ... just my guess.
 
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of all the irritating aspects of the iPhone & iOS, I'd have to say that the Lightning plug is at the very bottom of the list. It's not a problem and it doesn't need to be changed. There's nothing wrong with it.
 
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DeepIn2U said:
I'm very surprised that Apple hasn't come up with a Lightning 2 port (in a way that FW400 became FW800; just same interface). I think more importantly than USB-C compatibility of a connector is the data speeds as well as the faster charging that comes along with USB-C vs Lightning ... just my guess.
Click to expand...
Apple updated the lighting port to USB 3 speeds and fast charging... just not on all devices
 
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I don’t mind keeping the lightening port of the phone but I’d like all the chargers on the other end to go USB c. Then at least all the bricks could be the same.
 
It doesn't matter. USB-C is coming to iPhones sooner rather than later, whether we like it or not. I've not had troubles with USB-C on my other devices.
 
I don’t really care honestly. I don’t even use the lightning cable that much as I wireless charge at home and the car.
If Apple switches to USB C then what’s the big deal? It will come with the cable.
 
It doesn’t matter if Apple switches to USB-C or not, lighting will still be relevant for years to come. It’s not like we don’t have the option of not using lightning if you retain your older devices, it’s whenever someone decides to upgrade will they have to adjust to USB-C. No one is forcing anyone to adapt to anything.

It’s like the argument that Apple no longer includes the 3.5 mm Jack, therefore you either have to use an adapter or wireless headphones, there are plenty of users still using an iPhone 6 that has the 3.5 mm Jack and will continue to do so until the phone is no longer usable.
 
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