- Apple has switched the iPhone 15 to USB-C instead of Lightning.
- The company is reportedly developing a new MagSafe battery pack with USB-C, allowing users to stack multiple battery packs.
- The new standards aim to reduce waste.
Apple's switch to USB-C for the iPhone 15 series opens up interesting new possibilities for charging.
The company is reportedly working on a new version of its MagSafe battery pack that will allow users to stack multiple battery packs on top of each other in a "daisy chain" configuration. A single battery pack can charge two iPhones simultaneously, one on each side of the pack.
"Certain devices, such as the new iPhone 15, allow external devices to be charged via a USB-C connection," Batteries Plus engineer Sukaina Yacoob told Lifewire in an email interview. "Users can use larger devices such as phones and laptops as mobile devices. power source and can charge smaller accessories without needing to be connected to a wall socket."
Apple has ditched Lightning charging points and switched to USB-C for its latest iPhones and latest AirPods Pro. Although Apple has switched its iPads and MacBooks to USB-C charging in the past, the company has so far been hesitant to implement the change on iPhones.
"The iPhone 15 series offers convenient new ways to charge, find friends in busy places, and stay connected while traveling," Apple wrote in a press release. "Both models use a USB-C connector, which is A universally accepted standard for charging and transferring data that allows you to charge iPhone, Mac, iPad, and newer AirPods Pro (2nd generation) using the same cable. Users can also charge AirPods or Apple Watch directly through the USB-C connector. Get it from iPhone.”
Apple users can now power their iPhones, iPads and Mac computers with a single USB-C charger, eliminating the need to search for a device-specific charger. Cross-device charging is also possible, such as connecting a low-battery iPhone to a fully charged iPad, or even between different brands.
“USB-C allows for faster charging,” Yacoob said. "Any charging degrades battery performance; fast charging has no greater impact on battery life than slow charging. For example, the type of charger USB-C vs. Lighting Port has no impact on battery charging. It depends on the amplifier charging brick. output."
Jacob noted that people can use larger devices such as phones and laptops as power banks, and can charge smaller accessories without needing to be connected to a wall socket.
Today, most Apple users have a plethora of USB-C cables and chargers, but usually only one or two Lightning cables.
Tricorder.Zero founder Marcus Soori said in an email that Apple's rumored USB-C MagSafe batteries will be daisy-chained via magnetic wireless charging pads on either side of the device to maximize charging capacity. This dual-pad feature also allows two devices (one on each side of the battery) to be charged simultaneously. The USB-C port itself can be used to charge other devices.
"As users, we will benefit from (n+2) charging; that is, each battery in the chain has a USB-C port, plus two magnetic wireless charging pads, no matter how many are in the daisy chain Batteries," he added. “We can make a 5-pack battery to charge 7 devices, or use them individually in a group of friends to charge up to 15 devices.”
Last spring, the European Union enacted legislation requiring all phones to have USB-C charging ports by the end of 2024. This EU directive aims to minimize e-waste and standardize chargers for all consumers.
USB-C brings several practical benefits to users. USB-C is designed to be both versatile and reversible, reducing the hassle often associated with plugging in a cable. You can insert it in any direction, which makes the process easier.
Additionally, USB-C can provide higher levels of power, which is useful for quickly charging devices, including laptops.
"Today, most Apple users have a lot of USB-C cables and chargers, but usually only one or two Lightning cables," Soori said. "The limited use of such cables throughout the day increases the likelihood that we will not be able to charge the iPhone before it drops below 20%, and that we are more likely to plug in the iPhone before disconnecting it due to charging access anxiety. Charge iPhone to 100%.
