What Charging Cable Do I Need?
If you’re looking for help in finding the right phone cable for you and your device, then you’ve come to the right place. We use a wide variety of devices everyday that it’s getting quite confusing if the cable you just picked up can work on your iPhone or iPad. The fact that the industry is going through a transition period doesn’t help as well.
With wireless charging being the way to power up your device in the future, should you even bother with cables? Honestly, yes. The first reason is that this technology is almost always only reserved for flagship devices at the moment. The second is that wireless charging still can’t compete with wired charging in terms of speed. Wired charging can help you out in a pinch if you need to charge your phone but have limited time to do so.
Charging Ports And Connectors 101
Before we dig into the meat of the discussion, let’s take a refresher on the most used port and connector types.
USB-A
Everyone should be familiar with this as it’s been around since 1996.
USB-C
The type C connector has been around since 2001 but only saw its way to most smartphones in 2017.
Lightning
Apple's proprietary connector introduced in 2012.
We use one or a combination of 2 of these connector types in our products to cover all the necessary types of connectors for smartphones and chargers. For convenience, we named our products based on the type of connector your device requires. Let’s get on with the connector types.
Lightning Cables
If you’ve been an Apple user for some time, then you’re familiar with this type of cable. It takes up less space on the device than the previous 30-pin connector and is reversible - meaning you can plug it in to your iPhone any which way. It’s just more convenient. On the other end is a USB-A connector that plugs into the standard 5W Apple phone charger. It works with any recent Apple device except the newer iPad Pros.
Type C Cables
The relative newcomer in the mobile device scene is set to be the standard for device charging and data transfer. Type C cables are now the staple for Android devices but Apple is diving into the tech as well with the latest iPad Pro models sporting the USB-C hub. Like the Lighting cable, it’s reversible and the other end plugs into a charger with a USB-A port or a Windows PC or laptop.
Lightning To Type C Cables
With the advent of super fast charging technology, the industry had to shift as the outdated USB-A cables can no longer support the high power delivery requirement. That’s why the iPhone 12 series comes with this type of cable. Too bad they didn’t include the new 20 watt USB-C power adapter. You can, however, use this cable on the iPhone 8 or later and even plug the other end of the cable to newer Macbooks.
Type C To Type C Cables
When we said that the Type C connector is set to be the standard for charging, this is what we meant. To get in line with fast charging, the old USB-A connector was replaced with the Type C connector to plug into Power Delivery (PD) chargers. Now, you have a cable that’s identical on both ends. It makes everything streamlined for Android uses because now, they can flip it and reverse it. Owners of new iPad Pros can get in on the act as well.
3-in-1 Braided Cable
Now if you’re still confused, here’s a sure-fire way to get things right. Our 3-in-1 Braided Cable is made for those who own multiple devices across different platforms. It has a Lightning, a USB-C, and a micro USB (for those who still use old Android phones) connector in one package. It plugs into a standard USB-A charger as these are more prevalent. You simply can’t go wrong with this one.
To Conclude
There’s nothing wrong with hanging on to the cable that came with your device. But if it’s showing signs of wear and tear, or if you want to make the most of the ultra fast charging capabilities of your phone, make sure to get the right cable for your device. Also consider their durability. Our products have braided options so they’re safer and last longer. We hope that this guide clears things up.