Return of the Adapters: Apple's long road to USB-C
14.9.2023
Translation: machine translated
All of Apple has switched to USB-C. All of Apple? No, unbending accessories do not stop resisting progress.
The AirPods Max, the Magic Mouse, the Magic Keyboard and all iPhones before the 15 series - there are still many Apple devices with a Lightning connector. The switch to USB-C is only a matter of time. Apple has an expensive adapter on sale to bridge the gap. However, this is not the only way to survive the transition phase.
Don't lose your adapter
If you have permanently installed your Lightning cables or want to keep them for one or other of your old devices, adapters can be useful despite all the prophecies of doom. They allow you to use one cable for both connections. Unless you constantly misplace the often fingernail-sized helpers. As a specialist in losing small things, I recently bought a four-pack of adapters for my bicycle valve.
Apple has brought out a "USB-C to Lightning adapter" to match the iPhone 15. It costs 29 francs or 35 euros and has a confusing name. It is designed to use Lightning accessories on an iPhone or iPad with USB-C. Strictly speaking, the adapter brings Lightning to USB-C and not the other way round.
You can also get cheaper adapters from third-party manufacturers that convert Lightning to USB-C.
Mobile device adapters
Quantity discount
CHF10.40 per piece for 2 units
Maxlife Lightning to USB C Adapter
Lightning, USB Type C
However, there can be similar issues with adapters as with USB-C cables. The transmission speed or performance of very few of them is visible. The same applies to the ability to transmit audio signals. The only thing that helps here is to study the product descriptions carefully - if they are detailed enough.
The adapter fun also works in the other direction, i.e. in the direction that Apple's adapter suggests with its name. So take the USB-C cable and adapt it with an adapter for the existing Lightning devices. However, after reading the reviews, I would steer clear of the model linked as an example. Its USB-C socket seems to be incomprehensibly much too large.
Mobile device adapters
−20%
only 18 of 19 remaining on sale
CHF9.– was CHF11.30
Swissten Adapter Lightning(M)/USB-C(F)
USB Type C, Lightning
Close your eyes and go for it: the slow changeover
You can also continue to live with the old and new cables. Just remember to pack the cables and power supply units you need. If you do need to make new purchases - such as power banks or power supply units - I can only advise you to insist on at least one USB-C port. Two would be better, and I have to admit that I haven't even been able to completely get rid of USB-A yet. So full understanding if you don't want to end backwards compatibility from one day to the next.
Switch completely to USB-C (scissors)
If money and sustainability are not an issue, you can switch completely to USB-C. With the right tools, you can create facts that put an end to any discussion about the usefulness of an existing Lightning cable.
In addition, the move means saying goodbye to the Magic Mouse, Magic Keyboard and AirPods Max. For example, I've fallen in love with vertical mice and have developed a taste for mechanical keyboards, which Apple doesn't even offer.
However, saying goodbye to the AirPods Max is likely to be much harder than saying goodbye to the Magic Mouse and keyboard. The headphones are simply too expensive and sound too good to bury with a menhir.
Cover photo: Martin Jungfer
As a primary school pupil, I used to sit in a friend's living room with many of my classmates to play the Super NES. Now I get my hands on the latest technology and test it for you. In recent years at Curved, Computer Bild and Netzwelt, now at Digitec and Galaxus.
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