Mac FORMAT INVESTIGATES

Apple has moved the iPhone to USB-C, bringing about the end of the Lightning port. We take a look at what that means

WRITTEN BY CHARLOTTE HENRY

For our latest subscription offer see page 34!

For those lucky enough to get your hands on one of the iPhone 15 range, perhaps the first things you will notice is that the cable that comes in the box is different to those from previous generations. That is because Apple is moving all its devices away from the Lightning port and to USB-C. And none of the old Lightning port accessories you’ve collected over the years are compatible anymore.

It is a hugely significant change from Apple, especially for the iPhone. The good You can find out more about the other improvements to the iPhone 15 range from p76. thing about it is that USB-C is a universal standard, immediately giving you access to a much wider range of accessories such as charging cables. No more hoping third-parties produce items with a Lightning connector.

It also means that it is easier to jump to and from using an iPhone – the chargers and accessories that come with an Android phones and other devices should now work with the iPhone too. Or you can use some Apple devices and some non-Apple devices and just use the same cables. However, in the short term, it means that if you’re buying an iPhone 15 (and don’t have any USB-C accessories already) you’re going to have to buy new power adaptors, cables and wired headphones, either from Apple or a third-party, adding to the cost.