Easily the most notable change in the iPhone 15 is its new charging and data port. That’s right, for the first time in more than 10 years, Apple is switching up the wired connector in its handsets, moving from Lightning to USB-C. It’s a good move in the sense that USB-C offers faster data transfer rates, more power delivering for charging, and wider compatibility with other devices, but unfortunately it does mean all of your old Lightning cables will no longer work.
Not to worry, though, iDB has you covered. We’ve spent hours sifting through all of the options, and we’ve put together a list of what we believe are the best USB-C cables for iPhone 15.
Best USB-C cables for iPhone 15
Cable Matters 100W 6.6ft USB-C cable
The consensus across experts seems to be that Cable Matters makes some of the best USB-C cables around. This particular model features support for up to 100W of power, meaning it will work for everything from your iPhone to your MacBook, and it’s long enough (over 6 feet) that you won’t be tethered directly next to the wall. The cable is also certified by the USB-IF, meaning it meets certain criteria for efficiency and safety, and comes with a 1-year warranty.
Anker Powerline III 100W 6ft USB-C cable
Charging accessories from Anker are always going to be an easy sell. The company has built up a solid reputation over the years for producing good products at affordable prices. The Anker Powerline III is no different. It measures 6 feet in length, so again you won’t be so closely tied to the outlet, and can move up to 100W of power. The cables are also tested to withstand up to 25K bends, meaning they shouldn’t break quickly at weak tension points, and come with a lifetime warranty.
Nomad Kevlar 100W 9.8ft USB-C Cable
For a more rugged, durable option, there’s the Kevlar Cable from Nomad. It’s a lot like the above-mentioned cables, with 100W of power delivery, but it’s wrapped in a double-braided Kevlar outer sheath and has metal alloy connector plugs. Nomad doesn’t offer any lifetime bend numbers, but it does back the cable with a 5-year warranty. They make the cable in 3 sizes: 0.3m, 1.5m, and 3.0m—we like the last one, which is the equivalent of nearly 10 feet long.
Amazon Basics USB-C 60W USB 3.1 Gen 2 Cable
The new iPhone 15 is capable of video output at 4K resolution, with 60Hz refresh rates, and even HDR. To accomplish this, however, you will need a USB-C cable that supports USB 3.1 or higher. The cable that comes with the iPhone 15, as well as many of the cables on this list, only support USB 2, so that is something to look for as you are shopping, if you are interested in outputting video. This Amazon Basics cable is shorter‚ just 3ft, and moves just 60W of power, but it does support USB 3.1 for under $20.
Cable Matters 240W 2.6ft USB 4 USB-C Cable
It’s probably overkill for the iPhone 15, but if you want a more robust cable that’s compatible with all of the latest tech and devices, this one from Cable Matters should do the trick. It’s a shorter cable at just 3.3ft, but it supports 40Gbps data transfer speeds, 240W of juice, USB 4, Thunderbolt 4, PD 3.1, and 8K video. That’s a long way of saying it should work with just about any USB-C device on the market, and support any feature you are trying to use.
FAQ
What is USB PD?
USB PD stands for USB Power Delivery, and it;’s a specification that enables the maximum functionality of USB by providing more flexible power delivery along with data over a single cable. This is what allows you to charge your iPhone at maximum charging speed (up to 27W).
Will I need to buy a new power adapter?
If you already have a 20W PD power adapter, no, it should work fine. If you are using an older USB-C adapter, or worse, a USB-A adapter, you are probably going to want to upgrade. It’s $20 (or less) for a new PD adapter, and if you spend a little more for say a 65W or 100W, you can fast-charge your smartphones as well as larger devices such as an iPad Pro or even a MacBook Pro.
iPhone 15 vs. iPhone 15 Pro USB-C?
There is a stark difference between the USB-C port on the iPhone 15 and the USB-C on the iPhone 15 Pro series. The iPhone 15 and 15 Plus have USB 2.0 Type-C ports, and the 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max have USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C ports. The former is limited to 480Mbps high-speed data transfer, and the latter is capable of 10 Gbps data transfers. This fast data transfer speed enables the Pro to do things like record 4K60 video directly to an external drive.
Why did Apple ditch the Lightning connector?
Apple hasn’t given a clear answer on why it is choosing to switch ports now, but the USB-C port is far more universal, capable of much higher charging and data transfer speeds, and of course switching to a new port allows Apple to introduce new accessories to sell.