Comment by eropple
3 years ago
> there's no gain from my perspective
Maybe this'll broaden that perspective a little: Apple devices since the iPhone 8 support USB-PD with C-to-Lightning cables now, and it's much faster. Decent USB-C chargers are a noticeable quality-of-life improvement.
I've never used one. In fact, my phone charges off a keyboard USB port so it's 0.5A and stresses the battery less. Of course not as much of an issue now that there's optimized charging.
So you're saying my iPhone will charge faster? I probably won't notice, since I only charge overnight. My phone actually pauses charging until 7 AM to manage battery health.
Also, if this is already available with USB-C to Lightning cables, is there an additional speed bump if the iPhone itself has USB-C?
I also just realized this means I'll have to buy new power banks, since the old ones are USB-A. That's another $40-60 total.
I also normally charge my phone at night, but I find the USB-PD charging super valuable when traveling, because if my phone is at 20% it will very very quickly be back up to 60% or so off of a USB-PD charger. Apple A-to-Lightning fast charging isn't slow, but it isn't that fast, and it's one more thing to think about.
You don't have to buy new power banks, either. And really, you don't have to buy new adapters either, if you don't want to! A-to-C is supported for both data and charging. iPads already fall back to Apple's old fast charging over A-to-C when your adapter or power bank supports it, I don't think there's a reason an iPhone wouldn't. It won't be as fast as USB-PD, but that upgrade's a choice.
Your concerns are definitely not nothing, but I think you're really overthinking it. It's not a step change, you can do it gradually, and when you go to USB-C on both ends, you'll get something for doing it. (USB-PD is currently available with C-to-Lightning cables, but you've said you don't have any of those right now, so I would assume it's not a big deal to you and you will realize the benefits when you upgrade.)
Sure, I also fast-charge sometimes when traveling. But I have found that USB-C is not available on planes, in airports, or in hotels. So if I want to be able to charge conveniently, I actually would rather have a USB-A to Lightning cable.
But regardless, it sounds like there is no additional speed advantage to having USB-C to USB-C versus the currently available USB-C to Lightning. Is that right? As for getting a bunch of dongles, that's one solution, but means spending more money.