Apple's Beats brand in April unveiled the Powerbeats Pro, a redesigned wire-free version of its popular fitness-oriented Powerbeats earbuds.
Apple-Certified Third-Party Lightning to USB-C Cables Expected Early Next Year
Apple-certified Lightning to USB-C cables should be available from select third-party accessory makers starting early next year.
Last week, Apple informed members of its Made for iPhone or "MFi" licensing program that Lightning to USB-C cables for charging and syncing are now permitted to be manufactured. These cables require a new Lightning connector with part number C94, which Made for iPhone program members can now order.
Apple is selling the new Lightning connector to eligible hardware manufacturers for $2.88 per, and it is estimated to ship in six weeks, according to documentation shared with MacRumors by Hong Kong website ChargerLab.
This means that third-party accessory makers enrolled in the Made for iPhone program, such as Anker, Aukey, Belkin, and Incipio, should have the part necessary to create MFi-certified Lightning to USB-C cables by mid-January and, allowing time for production, could be available to purchase by February or March.
A Lightning to USB-C cable is required to fast charge the iPhone 8 and newer with an 18W-plus power adapter. Otherwise, the new C94 connector is expected to provide a maximum of 15W of power with a standard power adapter.
Apple is currently the only retailer of certified Lightning to USB-C cables at a cost of $19 for the one-meter option and $35 for two-meters in the United States. The one-meter cable was originally $25, but it received a price cut in November 2016 alongside some of Apple's other USB-C adapters and cables.
The biggest advantage to third-party Lightning to USB-C cables is that many will likely be significantly less expensive than Apple's own, while still meeting Apple performance standards under the Made for iPhone program. Many third-party options will likely have more durable designs too, such as a braided cable.
Apple first informed its Made for iPhone program members about its plans to allow third-party Lightning to USB-C cables earlier this year.
Last week, Apple informed members of its Made for iPhone or "MFi" licensing program that Lightning to USB-C cables for charging and syncing are now permitted to be manufactured. These cables require a new Lightning connector with part number C94, which Made for iPhone program members can now order.
Apple is selling the new Lightning connector to eligible hardware manufacturers for $2.88 per, and it is estimated to ship in six weeks, according to documentation shared with MacRumors by Hong Kong website ChargerLab.
This means that third-party accessory makers enrolled in the Made for iPhone program, such as Anker, Aukey, Belkin, and Incipio, should have the part necessary to create MFi-certified Lightning to USB-C cables by mid-January and, allowing time for production, could be available to purchase by February or March.
A Lightning to USB-C cable is required to fast charge the iPhone 8 and newer with an 18W-plus power adapter. Otherwise, the new C94 connector is expected to provide a maximum of 15W of power with a standard power adapter.
Apple is currently the only retailer of certified Lightning to USB-C cables at a cost of $19 for the one-meter option and $35 for two-meters in the United States. The one-meter cable was originally $25, but it received a price cut in November 2016 alongside some of Apple's other USB-C adapters and cables.
The biggest advantage to third-party Lightning to USB-C cables is that many will likely be significantly less expensive than Apple's own, while still meeting Apple performance standards under the Made for iPhone program. Many third-party options will likely have more durable designs too, such as a braided cable.
Apple first informed its Made for iPhone program members about its plans to allow third-party Lightning to USB-C cables earlier this year.
[ 77 comments ]
Top Rated Comments
(View all)
9 months ago
So, let me get this straight...
MacBook Pros have solely used USB-C ports for the last 2 years and you still need a dongle for these new $1000 iPhones because they ship with the old USB cable?
Apple makes me want to turn everything off and go to a beach.
MacBook Pros have solely used USB-C ports for the last 2 years and you still need a dongle for these new $1000 iPhones because they ship with the old USB cable?
Apple makes me want to turn everything off and go to a beach.
9 months ago
Always love the tough talkin' can't stand the heat get out of the kitchen philosophy. If enough people complain about planned obsolescence, and it becomes a well known talking point that will affect sales, Apple will change.... Eventually.
In the meantime, get back on that saddle and hang on cowboy. More dongles are a comin'.
Sometimes this helps me deal with Apple:
Old MacDONGLE had a farm
E-I-E-I-O
And on his farm he had a dongle
E-I-E-I-O
With a dongle here
And a dongle there
Here a dongle, there a dongle
Everywhere a freaking dongle
Old MacDonGLE had a farm
E-I-E-I-O
Try it, it's good therapy, but if you cannot get the song out of your head, don't blame me, blame the (Mac)dongles.
9 months ago
I've had a TB MBP for over 2 years, Apple didn't give me a free cord, so basically on top of my $2.5k+laptop they needed to steal $29 from me
Edit: (CAD $)
Edit: (CAD $)
9 months ago
Finally. Can't wait to buy a nice Anker or Monoprice braided cable. I loathe Apple's cables with every fiber of my being.
9 months ago
I wonder if this means future iPhones will still use Lightning. I was really hoping for an all USB-C setup.
9 months ago
I never realized that Apple sold its own parts to the Made for iPhone manufacturers. So evidently the only thing that the Mfi companies make is the cable itself. Or do they make the USB-C connector too?
I assume they control that one part because it has circuitry that identifies the cable as an authorized Apple part?
9 months ago
Apple is a master at planned obsolescence, this provides them a continuous income stream. If you want to use Apple products you pay the price or you move on.
9 months ago
I wonder if this means future iPhones will still use Lightning. I was really hoping for an all USB-C setup.
A USB-C connected device going in and out of linty pockets is a disaster waiting to happen.[ Read All Comments ]
Apple today sent out emails to customers about its latest Apple Pay promo, which will see the company donating $10 to the National Park Foundation for Apple Pay purchases made from the Apple...
We're just a few weeks away from the unveiling of this year's iPhone lineup as well as the official release of iOS 13 and Apple's other new operating system versions, and we're...
For this week's giveaway, we've teamed up with RAVPower to offer MacRumors readers a chance to win a 61W USB-C Power Adapter and a USB-C to Lightning cable, which can be used to fast charge...
Satechi this summer launched its first HomeKit-compatible product, the Dual Smart Outlet, a HomeKit plug that turns dumb appliances and electronics into smart electronics that can work alongside...
As we head into the weekend, there are a few notable deals going on today that include an all-new MacRumors exclusive offer from Eve, Best Buy's anniversary sale with lowest-ever iPad prices, and...
Version 7 of Heart Analyzer was released today, and the popular third-party heart-rate app for iPhone and Apple Watch has gained some additional features for users looking for even deeper insight...
Apple today seeded the seventh beta of watchOS 6, the software that runs on the Apple Watch. The new beta comes a week after the sixth beta and two months after Apple first unveiled the new watchOS...
Apple today seeded seventh beta of an upcoming tvOS 13 update to developers, one week after seeding the sixth beta and two months after unveiling the tvOS 13 software at the Worldwide Developers...
