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Amazon and Monoprice Offering Certified, Low Cost Lightning-to-USB Cables

Tuesday February 12, 2013 2:28 pm PST by Juli Clover
monopricelightningcablesBoth Monoprice and Amazon are now offering low cost Lightning cables, priced at $11.77 and $14.99, respectively, for a standard 3-foot cable.

That’s a significant savings over Apple’s official Lightning cables that are sold online and at retail stores for $19.99.

Monoprice is known for offering high quality generic cables at a deep discount. In addition to the standard 3ft cable, Monoprice is also selling a 6ft cable for $12.56 and a Slimfit cable for $12.73. The cables are all MFi certified Lightning to USB charge/sync cables, made to work with the iPad, iPhone, and iPod. The Slimfit cable from Monoprice is set to ship out in the beginning of March, with the other two cables following later in the month.

Amazon is only offering a 3ft MFi Certified cable at this time, but it is available to ship immediately.

While there are cheaper lightning cables available, the offerings from Amazon and Monoprice are MFi (Made for iPad/iPhone/iPod) Certified, which means they have been approved by Apple. Other low cost Lighting cable options are unofficial, which has introduced concerns about quality and compatibility.

Apple has been maintaining strict control over the Lightning connector and accessories that utilize the technology, insisting that Lightning-related accessories are manufactured in Apple-approved facilities. As a result, the introduction of lower-cost licensed Lightning cables has been slow.
[ 65 comments ]


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jca24
73 months ago

I bought $2.50 lightning cables from dealextreme and they work just as well as the originals:)


Most likely not for long. The cheap chi-com crap will burn you!
Rating: 11 Votes
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oneMadRssn
73 months ago

You really don't believe the most of the cheap knockoffs aren't coming out of the back door of the same factory that makes the officially branded stuff? In other words, the same exact cable, minus the logo?


Have you actually compared the dealextreme/dailysteals cables to the real ones? They aren't similar at all. If they really are coming out of the same factory but through a different door, then I would expect them to be at least of similar construction. They are quite different, and therefore I suspect the cheap ones are inferior enough for the risk to be not worthwhile, in my opinion.
Rating: 10 Votes
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santaliqueur
73 months ago

You're welcome to your opinion and empty wallet.


A $20 cable will somehow empty your wallet out? Get a job.
Rating: 10 Votes
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Thunderhawks
73 months ago

Yes .. All those overpriced little cables/plugs/adapters/cases Apple sells will eventually makes you spend A LOT more than you should.


Funny how people buy a $ 300 - $ 800 idevice and are upset about 5 dollars
price differences.

Then they drink some Starbucks coffee and don't worry that they can buy any size coffee at McDonalds for 1 dollar.

Let's not act as if we buy a new cable and adapter every day.
Rating: 9 Votes
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japanime
73 months ago

Most likely not for long. The cheap chi-com crap will burn you!


You really don't believe the most of the cheap knockoffs aren't coming out of the back door of the same factory that makes the officially branded stuff? In other words, the same exact cable, minus the logo?
Rating: 8 Votes
Avatar
Inakto
73 months ago

Most likely not for long. The cheap chi-com crap will burn you!


You're welcome to your opinion and empty wallet.
Rating: 5 Votes
Avatar
Inakto
73 months ago
I bought $2.50 lightning cables from dealextreme and they work just as well as the originals:)
Rating: 4 Votes
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nutmac
73 months ago

Well its about time. Just goes to show the ridiculous profit margins Apple still makes on the new cables


I can pickup Apple's official cable from any Apple Store at $17.50 with employee purchase plan (available to employees of many large companies). So for me personally, saving few bucks by choosing Monoprice ($14.57 with shipping) or Amazon ($14.99) isn't worth the trouble.

Even at full $19, we are talking about just $4 more per cable.
Rating: 3 Votes
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mscann
73 months ago
Why is it so hard to make the connector head the same size as the apple ones? None of these cables work on closed bottom cases
Rating: 3 Votes
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troop231
73 months ago
Still enjoying my own DIY "made" 6 foot cables :)

Rating: 3 Votes

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