iPhone Lacking USB-C Not A Big Deal Maybe

When the iPhone 15 debuted last year, I thought, “Finally, USB-C!” Both my MacBook and iPad charge via USB-C, as do all my other non-Apple gadgets, so the iPhone holdout has been a drag. But there’s no telling when I’ll finally afford an iPhone with the ubiquitous port that isn’t Lightning since I typically buy older iPhones refurbished. That said, I've realized in my day-to-day routine that I almost never-ever use the port to charge, so no USB-C is no big deal really. Maybe.

My 12 mini charges nightly via MagSafe. It’s nice. In fact, even without an Always-On display, I set my phone on its side using a small stand next to my bed while charging with the little MagSafe puck. It enters Stand-By mode and looks like an alarm clock (though it’s not as fun or fancy as the new Nintendo Alarmo). I just tap the screen when I want to see it display its info. During the day, my 12 mini is always on a Qi charger when at my workplace. It’s so convenient.

So day or night, 95% of the time my iPhone doesn't get a cable plugged into its port. Now that I think about it, if Apple announced the sole charge port was disappearing like the headphone jack (that many people still miss), I'd probably be okay with that. The only times I connect anything to the Lightning port are:

1. To use my external battery backup charger (which is more often these days...)
2. To play music in my car stereo.

Both of these seldom occur. And both can be avoided with wireless tech. For the car stereo, I could use bluetooth to connect. And for the external battery pack, I could switch to a MagSafe version.

I look forward to the time when all my gadgets finally sport USB-C, letting me live the ideal of one simple cable to rule them all. But I can wait longer. If I don't jump to a 15-series, it won't be a problem to replace my 12 mini with another Lightning-port-equipped iPhone. I think.

The other part of this issue is the other end of the Lightning and USB-C cables I have. Some have USB-C at the opposite end but some have USB-A. So some plugs/adapters have a big wide rectangular port while others have a skinny oblong one. It's inconsistent and a little inconvenient. One day it'll all be simplified.