Yeah alternative was MicroUSB which is dogshit.

Fun fact: Apple was part of the group that designed USB-C

Connection technology was good, but materials used in cable and design of strain release was horrible. Never seen a cable disintegrate without any reason after couple of years.

I think the problem is that between lightning cables and USB-C, one is made by an asshole company who wants you to use it for your phone and literally nothing else, and one is useful for your phone and literally everything else.

At the time it came out, definitely, considering its main competitors for a standardised connector were Mini USB and Micro USB, which were serviceable but not that great...

Could be worse though, you could've been stuck with "superspeed" Micro USB like some folks were, those were just plain awful to use.

It was a good cable when it came out, but as soon as USB-C became common it was obsolete. It was limited to USB2 speeds and did not support fast charging.

Which, seeing how Apple is still hellbent on continuing to only have USB2 speeds even with USB-C, plus lockout chips, their new connector is obsolete as well.

And technically the connector itself is way beter by clicking into place.

This was a crucial step in Apple's journey into becoming a trillion dollar company. Dongles.

Holy fuck I thought this was a joke

The amount of USB type ports I've seen where the 'tongue' has been absolutely mangled is mind boggling — an issue that Lightning completely bypassed.

For example, I'm repairing some kids PS5 and both back USB ports have had their pins twisted and the plastic snapped off. The HDMI port pins are lifting from the mainboard and the front of the unit is scratched to high hell. I see some of the worst treated tech at my job, and those plastic bits get damaged a lot. While Apple needed to move to USB-C six years ago with the iPhone X, I will respect Lightning for this one thing.

Lol what? Android used micro USB all across the board on flagships. They then went straight to usb-c.

would if

When apple changed to lightning it was in the middle of the accessory hype where there were loads of accessories using the 30-pin. People where outraged because they could no longer use any of their accessories. Apple then commited to lightning for 10 years in order to sooth the public image. This was 11 years ago, and they didn't switch last year to cut costs, but I'd argue it only overstayed it's welcome for a year.

The same thing that is happening now. EU mandated micro USB on all phones and Apple pleaded exceptionalism. Industry has moved on to USB C and EU is updating mandate. Apple is not being allowed to plead exceptionalism again.

The law is ready for that. If and when the USB association agrees on a new standard thats not USB-C, then the new standard will be required after a transitional period. Right now it doesnt seem likely that this will happen in the near future, but in 10 years? Maybe