What’s your favorite charging plug/port type?

[Klutch9]

Next week I’ll be moving on from my trusty iPhone 13 Pro to a 17 Pro, leaving me with just one device that still uses the Lightning cable (AirPods). Well, also technically an Apple TV remote, but it goes a year plus between charges. People have bashed the Lightning cable/port for its lack of data transfer speed, proprietary design, etc., but I really love it. As far as form factor goes, it’s the most satisfying to plug in. It always gives a positive click, and because the edges are rounded, you don’t have to worry about scratching up your device while plugging it in. Plus it doesn’t have the center ‘wafer’ on the port itself, so it’s robust. It also supports PD charging in more recent times. I remember when my wife first got her iPhone 5, the first to use the Lightning port; it was impossible at first to find decent aftermarket cables. Now they are everywhere.

OTOH, basically everything else we have, from handheld game consoles, controllers, network devices, phones and tablets all use USB type C, so we can cut down on cable clutter around the house.

Anyway, what’s your favorite plug/port, and why?

 

[AutoMechanic]

I like lightning as well. It was unique to Apple and made it actually feel superior. Now with USB-C it just feels like another cheap generic device. Plus I liked it because my anti Apple family couldn’t use my chargers back then lol.

 

[dishdude]

USB-C hands down. It's nice having one charger and one connector to charge everything.

 

[Oillover]

AC/DC

 

[The_Jeff]

Lightning may be technically superior but I don't like paying $8 for a cable that would be $1.25 if it were USB.

Reminds me of the Betamax/ VHS war. VHS won because it was everywhere, even if it's technically inferior.

 

[dishdude]

Lightning may be technically superior but I don't like paying $8 for a cable that would be $1.25 if it were USB.

Reminds me of the Betamax/ VHS war. VHS won because it was everywhere, even if it's technically inferior.

Lightning is far inferior. USB-C does everything better and is the premium means of charging, connectivity and data transfer which is why even Apple switched to it.

https://www.lifewire.com/usb-c-vs-lightning-5206813

 

[Klutch9]

Lightning is far inferior. USB-C does everything better and is the premium means of charging, connectivity and data transfer which is why even Apple switched to it.

https://www.lifewire.com/usb-c-vs-lightning-5206813

Apple was partly forced into USB type C because of the EU’s requirement for a standard charging cable, or something like that. I agree that type C is superior in every way, with the exception of form factor, IMO.

 

[jrdust]

i like type c for simplicity

 

[dogememe]

I was going to reply NACS but then I read the thread.

So yes, USB-C for all sorts of stuff.

But when it comes to phones I’m using wireless charging 99.9% of the time . I have one wireless charging pad next to my bed, one at my desk, and the car has it as well.

 

[wemay]

USB-C

 

[Cruisin'n5thgear]

USB-C. Realized the other day that I haven't had a single cable go bad since we got our first in 2020. I now will not purchase a non USB-C device. One cable to charge everything is the way to go.

We now just have a handful of old Micro USB devices ... lantern, portable battery, flashlight, etc. and they will be replaced with USB-C devices when they age out.

 

[Klutch9]

USB-C. Realized the other day that I haven't had a single cable go bad since we got our first in 2020. I now will not purchase a non USB-C device. One cable to charge everything is the way to go.

We now just have a handful of old Micro USB devices ... lantern, portable battery, flashlight, etc. and they will be replaced with USB-C devices when they age out.

For some time, a lot of cheaper electronics were still coming with micro USB. Now, for the past year or so, I’ve noticed that those devices are coming with USB C. Their stock of micro USB must be all used up haha.

 

[Skippy722]

USB-C. Everything I own except my radar detector uses it.

 

[Cruisin'n5thgear]

For some time, a lot of cheaper electronics were still coming with micro USB. Now, for the past year or so, I’ve noticed that those devices are coming with USB C. Their stock of micro USB must be all used up haha.

Have noted the same thing. Cycling computer and radar from 2019 are the last high dollar items with micro in my inventory.

 

[UncleDave]

I hate cord end negative space connectors in general, hence not a fan of USB-C.

Now with them powering everything they end up on the floor of the house, office, vehicles, and if you step on the end you squish it closed.

On top of trapping dirt and lint - now you have a dirt and lint trap at both ends.

Thats just great....

 

[alarmguy]

Apple was partly forced into USB type C because of the EU’s requirement for a standard charging cable, or something like that. I agree that type C is superior in every way, with the exception of form factor, IMO.

Correct, the E/U forced it on Apple. They had no choice and had to switch in the EU. Apple decided instead of having two different types of cables (one type in other areas like the USA and USB-C there)to make everything USC-C.
I guess the EU will control what cable advancements might be made in the future as well. Weird

I liked the lighting cable and agree with @AutoMechanic in post #2, I’m over it now but it annoys me that product design forced on Apple. Now that door has been opened I wonder … (no politics)

 

[alarmguy]

Lightning may be technically superior but I don't like paying $8 for a cable that would be $1.25 if it were USB.

Reminds me of the Betamax/ VHS war. VHS won because it was everywhere, even if it's technically inferior.

FireWire $3 on Amazon I suspect will get more costly now.
Competition did Betamax in not government requirements

 

[Pew]

My favorite one is always the cord found in a random box last week, threw it away, and now I need it today.

 

[BrendanC]

I also enjoyed lightning and wish that could have been the universal standard.

but USB C has changed the game. i have 140w adapters/cables positioned around my house that can charge everything from my phone to my laptops. i have USB C PD triggers in devices to request 15v, 20v etc to power things that were never made to be usb powered.

 

[DCDG]

Next week I’ll be moving on from my trusty iPhone 13 Pro to a 17 Pro, leaving me with just one device that still uses the Lightning cable (AirPods). Well, also technically an Apple TV remote, but it goes a year plus between charges. People have bashed the Lightning cable/port for its lack of data transfer speed, proprietary design, etc., but I really love it. As far as form factor goes, it’s the most satisfying to plug in. It always gives a positive click, and because the edges are rounded, you don’t have to worry about scratching up your device while plugging it in. Plus it doesn’t have the center ‘wafer’ on the port itself, so it’s robust. It also supports PD charging in more recent times. I remember when my wife first got her iPhone 5, the first to use the Lightning port; it was impossible at first to find decent aftermarket cables. Now they are everywhere.

OTOH, basically everything else we have, from handheld game consoles, controllers, network devices, phones and tablets all use USB type C, so we can cut down on cable clutter around the house.

Anyway, what’s your favorite plug/port, and why?

Never really cared as long as the port and charger worked. I have had the lightning plug for many years since my iPhone 5 rarely had an issue, Now on a 16 with the type C plug. The type C tends to stay cleaner as in pocket lint junk doesn't collect inside the port. I would lean towards the type C with its cleanliness of the port and how available the cable style is.