Why doesn't Apple change the Lightning data cable?

Things have changed over time. It can be said that when Apple's Dock interface and Lightning interface competed with the microUSB interface, it was like the father beating the son. But when it comes to Type-C, Lightning's lead no longer exists.

The theoretical transmission speed of Type-C interface can reach 1.25G per second, which is faster than Apple's current fastest transmission speed of 625MB/s of iPad Pro, which is the speed of USB3.0 (USB3.0 main control chip is added to the iPad Pro motherboard). Type-C interface is twice as fast as Lightning, completely turning the tables.

Through the Type-C interface, the charging speed can not only reach the theoretical maximum charging power of 100W, but also supports two-way charging. You only need to buy a dual-port Type-C data cable to use one mobile phone as a power bank to charge other mobile phones.

Apple doesn't even think about how many families have been harmed by its standard 5W1A charging head since 2012.

If you want to enjoy fast charging on your iPhone, you can use the iPad's charging cable and charging head. What? You said you don't have an iPad?

Then you have to spend money to buy an MFi-certified charging head and a Type-C to Lightning charging cable or charging head, so the whole set will cost more than 300 yuan. I'm Apple, it's a rip-off.

In addition, the high-speed data transmission efficiency also brings more scalability to the Type-C interface. For example, the mouse, monitor, network, 4K video, etc. can be transmitted through the Type-C interface. The advantages of the Lightning interface are not worth mentioning at present in Type-C.

The micro USB port was previously bullied by the Dock and Lightning ports, but the big brother Type-C has helped to regain the upper hand.

But what’s interesting is that some foreign media claimed that the original inventor of the Type-C interface was actually Apple.

In 2015, a well-known Apple observer John Gruber said that Apple is likely the inventor of the Type-C interface, and Apple hopes to make this interface standard gradually become the mainstream standard in the industry, because the 12-inch MacBook released by Apple in 2015 only has one interface: that is the Type-C interface.

The new MacBook is the first application of Type-C technology on consumer computers. In contrast, the iPhone still uses the poor Lightning interface.

The reason why Type-C has become popular among mobile phone manufacturers is largely due to its open source nature. It does not have to pay licensing fees like Apple's Lightning interface. It not only has an absolute advantage in performance, but its price is also far higher than Lightning. It is no surprise that the Type-C interface is popular and rapidly popularized by Android phones and other devices.

The Lightning interface, which was over-promoted in the early stage and under-promoted in the later stage, has not been upgraded or updated since its launch. The only thing worth mentioning is that in order to compress the internal space of the phone, the 3.5mm headphone jack was cancelled and the Lightning interface was used to transmit audio instead. This has also been strongly borrowed by friendly companies. In order to listen to music conveniently, in addition to buying a Bluetooth headset, we can only buy a Type-C to 3.5mm adapter cable.

The ecosystem of the Type-C interface has become mature and unified in the market after several years of development. However, the Type-C interface on Apple's current Macbook coexists with the Lightning interface on the iPhone. The different interfaces between Mac, iPad and iPhone devices have become a burden. This time, the advantage of the Lightning interface that Apple has always been unique and proud of is no longer there.

Instead, it subtly reflects the ever-changing attitude of the former giants. The Type-C interface released in 2014 was used in Apple's Macbook within a year. Last year, Apple also cancelled the Lightning interface on the iPad Pro and adopted the Type-C interface.

Logically speaking, Apple itself is not opposed to Type-C, and even chose Type-C over Lightning without hesitation on some productivity devices. On the other hand, it took Android two to three years to gradually complete the transition from Micro-USB to Type-C (although many low-end devices still use Micro-USB).

What makes Android different from Apple is its great inclusiveness, especially the tolerant ecological environment that gives manufacturers great freedom. The open source system allows each developer to independently update the settings and create their own system, such as the fast charging protocol of each company. It just so happens that in the past two or three years, Android phones have begun to gradually erode the iPhone's market.

After all, MFi certification is such a big piece of cake, it is not something that can be given up at will. The iPhone is Apple's best-selling product and the main source of hardware profits, but it still uses the Lightning interface from seven years ago, which is largely due to this.

Unfortunately, the Lightning interface was created by Apple. If you want to use its devices, you can only choose Lightning.

According to Apple's characteristics, the life cycle of an interface is at least 5-10 years. In this way, the Lightning interface will continue to serve for several years, but the rapid development of USB3.1 will definitely speed up the replacement of Lightning to adapt to the faster era.

Although Apple has been accused of lack of innovation since Cook took office, I still admire Cook's business acumen. We make money from selling iPhones. Do you want fast charging? Please pay more! If third-party accessory manufacturers also want a piece of the pie? Sorry, you still need Apple's authorization, so that you can make another profit.

As for when the iPhone will be equipped with Type-C, according to Apple's nature, I guess at least the iPhone 11 will not have it. This month, many colleagues took advantage of the 618 shopping spree to buy Type-C to Lightning adapters. As an intern, I certainly don't have the money to buy one. I also really want to use a Type-C cable for my iPhone.