The numbers dictate the speed of connection while the letter refers to the connector. So we have USB 3.1, USB 3.2 and now USB 4 and all use the USB-C connector. Iphone lightning cable speed– apple certified lightning cable
Old chargers generate more than 51 000 metric tons of electronic waste per year, according to the European Parliament. Apple’s Lightning connector cable, which is used to charge and sync different devices, would therefore be at risk.
We think a USB-C–to–Lightning cable (paired with a USB-C charger) is the best way for most people to charge their Apple devices. Although many people predominantly charge their phones and other small devices from USB-A ports, USB-C charging is faster—and it’s swiftly becoming more commonplace. It used to be on everything, but now it’s only found on two types of devices — iPhones and some iPad models.
USB C’s design protects the pins and connectors on cables, but there might be some durability concerns over the tab inside a device. I’ve never personally experienced a broken Micro USB port, but it is entirely possible, even with a thicker connector than Micro USB, that the internal tab could be damaged.
Most devices made by Apple—from iPhones to Magic Trackpads—need a Lightning cable in order to charge. We think a USB-C–to–Lightning cable (paired with a USB-C charger) is the best way for most people to charge their Apple devices. Lightning cables might have more issues with dirty exposed pins or damaged wiring, but it’s less likely that stresses on the cable will lead to a damaged phone port.
The familiar straight connector is what most people are used to, but some cables have a right-angle connector that can handle more stress and make the phone more comfortable to hold while it’s charging. iOS users went through a connector transition several years ago, moving from the wide, flat, 30 pin dock connector to the smaller lightning connector. Now the rest of the smartphone industry is migrating to USB Type C.
One of the things to look out for is MFI certification. This is Apple’s way of verifying whether a third-party manufacturer is meeting its standards and providing safe charging performance for Apple devices.
