USB Type-C and Apple’s Lightning Connector: Major Differences Explained

Apple recently launched its latest iteration of flagships, the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus. Both of them will be available for pre-orders starting from tonight on Flipkart.

While it has received mixed reactions from critics all across the globe, one thing that clearly didn't go well is the absence of the 3.5mm headphone port. Apple believes that by replacing it with the Lightning port, it will be able to provide better audio outputs and open the market for wireless technology.

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To recall, Apple was the first company to provide us with the reversible plug back in 2012 when it replaced its 30-pin connector with an 8-pin Lightning connector.

USB couldn't achieve this until recently when it introduced the USB Type-C. Though it's yet to become mainstream, with all the flagship smartphone manufacturers opting for the USB Type-C, we believe it'll soon be a standard for all the Android smartphones.

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So, in this article, we try to explain the similarities and differences between the USB Type-C and Apple's Lightning connector and how would they affect the end consumers, that's you!

Plug them in any orientation

Both the connectors can be plugged into your smartphone in any direction. Before this, with the Micro USB, you had only one way, and that is to insert it in one direction.

What's even worse is the fact the different smartphone manufacturers position the port in different orientations which eventually would require a little more attention. While people who are stuck to a single smartphone wouldn't have noticed it, those who update their devices frequently would definitely relate to this.

Well, thanks to the USB Type-C, we won't have to face any trouble in the near future. We believe that these small changes which provide more convenience is what makes or breaks the overall experience.

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Design and durability

Despite the fact that both of them can be plugged in any orientation, they are totally different in terms of how they connect to your smartphones.

While the USB Type-C connects to the pins which are present inside the port of your phone (or any other connecting device), Lightning connector's pins are present on the cable itself. Both the designs have advantages and disadvantages of their own which we will talk about below.

When it comes to durability, Apple's Lightning connectors are terrible! We say it again, they are terrible! Apple should seriously consider improving their cable quality. On the flip side, USB Type-C cables come with a decent quality, although it totally depends on the manufacturer.

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Advantages and disadvantages

USB Type-C connectors design protects the pins and connectors on the cables, but with a thicker connector included, it's completely possible that it may damage the internal pins on your smartphone (if high amounts of stress is applied). However, it is not likely to happen as long as you use it carefully.

On the other side, Lightning cables have their pins exposed on the cables, meaning it's likely that it can be damaged due to dirt and other external factors.

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USB Type-C is more powerful

USB Type-C is capable of supporting up to 100 watts (current up to 20-volts and 5 amperes) as opposed to the 5 or 10 Watts (current up to 5-volts and up to 1 or 2 amperes) of power seen on most of the current smartphone chargers .

It's worth mentioning the fact that USB Type-C can be used to charge laptops as well. Remember Apple's MacBook?

Additionally, the Type-C is capable of transmitting data at higher speeds (up to 10 Gbps).

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