USB-C and Lightning are the two most common types of cables (or interfaces) on the market. Although they look similar and perform the same functions, it is clear that they are quite different.
USB-C used in Android devices and Lightning cables used by Apple in their own devices are comparable in terms of charging speeds, data transfer rates, compatibility and more. These comparisons will help determine which cable is better.
What is USB-C?
Introduced in 2014, USB-C (also known as USB Type-C) is an interface that aims to become a universal standard for wired connectivity, allowing smart devices to charge and transfer data over a single cable. A USB-C connector has 24 pins, 12 on each side. Of these 24 pins, 16 are data transfer, four power, and four ground.
Unlike the unidirectional designs of its predecessors, micro-USB and USB-A, USB-C has a symmetrical design, meaning you can plug it into the port as you wish, facing up or down. If your Android device is not over a certain age, it probably has a USB-C port.
What is ligning?
Introduced in 2012, Lightning connectors replaced Apple’s older 30-pin connectors and perform the same function as USB-C. However, there are some differences between them. First of all, Lightning connectors are proprietary technology and can only be used for iPhones and some iPads.
Lightning connectors have eight pins. Of these eight pins, six are data transfer, one power and one ground. Apple developed this technology to make iPhones thinner because the old 30-pin slot was too large. At that time, USB-C studies were not completed, so Apple chose to use Lightning.
Which is better?
Generally speaking, we can say that the performance of USB-C is now better than Lightning. However, Apple continues to use Lightning, especially on its smartphones. Although there is general pressure on the company to switch to USB-C, and some Mac computers are starting to use USB-C, it is not yet used in iPhones, and Apple claims that making the switch will do more harm than good.
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