Lightning: Benefits of the Apple Standard
Apple uses the Lightning connector on its smartphones. However, whether this will continue in the future is still unclear – in 2016, Apple first equipped the MacBook with a USB-C port, and in 2018, the company’s tablets received this interface. However, the Lightning port, which was first introduced in 2012, still has many advantages today.
- Balanced connector: thanks to the symmetrical connector, it doesn’t matter how you insert the plug into the socket. Accordingly, you simply cannot connect it incorrectly.
- Strength: Lightning connector is very durable. The design is automatically cleaned of dust and dirt when the plug is inserted into the socket. In addition, when connected, it experiences a fairly low resistance, due to which the port itself wears out more slowly.
- Prevalence on Apple devices: almost all Apple devices are still equipped with a Lightning port. If you are an avid lover of “apple” gadgets, you can use the same charger with a Lightning cable for them.
USB-C: universal format
USB-C is becoming more and more popular: this interface is used not only in smartphones, but also in acoustics, wearable gadgets and computers.
- Balanced connector: In terms of design, USB-C has the same advantages as the Lightning connector. Again, the plug is symmetrical and always connects correctly the first time.
- Industry standard: unlike Lightning, USB-C is supported by many manufacturers. We will see more USB-C devices in the future. It looks like this standard will evolve as an adjacent standard for many devices.
- High Data Rate: Most gadgets with USB-C provide high data transfer speeds. But since the name USB-C refers to the design of the port, and not to the technology, the only way to describe the speed more accurately is by specifying the standard. Many manufacturers do not voice it – often this means that the device uses slow USB 2.0. The highest speed is with the new USB 3.1 standard. For example, USB 2.0 can provide speeds up to 500 Mbps, and USB 3.1 up to 10 Gbps.
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Technology
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What’s better?
Although Lightning and USB-C share some common features, such as a symmetrical connector, there are still differences between the two connection types. Accordingly, some things work better with Lightning, while others work better with USB-C.
- lightning: for Lightning says that the technology is more reliable and durable than USB-C. In addition, the plug itself is slightly smaller, and therefore more compact.
- USB-C: on the USB-C side – high compatibility. So many devices now have USB-C, and there will be more in the future. If USB-C supports the USB 3.1 standard, the connection will be much faster than Lightning, which is comparable to USB 2.0.
Conclusion: USB-C USB 3.1 is faster and more efficient than Lightning. In addition, the connector is more versatile due to its high compatibility.
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