Honestly, it feels like only yesterday we were all scrambling to find that one specific Lightning cable buried at the bottom of a kitchen drawer. You know the one—frayed at the edges, slightly yellowed, and held together by hope and electrical tape. But things changed fast. If you’re asking does iPhone use USB C, the short answer is a resounding yes.
Apple finally ditched the proprietary port, and it wasn’t just a random design choice. It was a massive shift in how these devices work, talk to other gadgets, and—most importantly—how they charge.
The Short List: Which iPhones Actually Have USB-C?
Let’s get the "buy-list" out of the way first. You don't want to walk into a store or browse eBay thinking every "newish" phone is the same. Apple officially made the jump in late 2023.
Currently, these are the models that have the USB-C port:
- iPhone 17 Series: (The 17, 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max, and that ultra-slim 17 Air everyone's buzzing about).
- iPhone 16 Series: (Standard, Plus, Pro, and Pro Max).
- iPhone 15 Series: This was the pioneer. The 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, and 15 Pro Max were the first to say goodbye to Lightning.
- iPhone 16e: The budget-friendly model that dropped in early 2025, effectively killing off the last of the Lightning-based production lines.
If you’re rocking an iPhone 14 or anything older, you’re still in the Lightning world. You’ll need those old cables or a dongle if you want to use the newer accessories.
Why Did Apple Finally Give In?
It wasn't exactly a voluntary "kinda" moment. For years, Apple fought to keep Lightning. It was a huge money-maker because of the MFi (Made for iPhone) licensing program. Every time a company like Belkin or Anker made a cable, Apple got a cut.
✨ Don't miss: Why Your Speed Test Mobile Phones Results are Probably Lying to You
Then the European Union stepped in.
The EU passed a law basically saying, "Enough with the e-waste." They mandated that by the end of 2024, all small electronics—phones, tablets, cameras—must use a common charging port. That port? USB-C. Apple had a choice: make a special "European iPhone" (expensive and annoying) or just switch the whole world over. They chose the latter.
Interestingly, by early 2026, even laptops sold in the EU have to follow suit, though MacBooks were already ahead of that curve.
It’s Not Just About the Plug (Speeds Matter)
Here is where it gets slightly annoying. Just because two iPhones have a USB-C port doesn't mean they do the same thing. Apple, being Apple, decided to gate-keep the best features for the Pro models.
📖 Related: Gemini 3 Flash: Why Speed and Context are Finally Catching Up to How We Actually Think
On the standard iPhone 15 and 16, the USB-C port is basically a Lightning port in a different shape. It uses USB 2.0 speeds. That means if you’re trying to move 100GB of 4K video to your computer, it’s going to be painfully slow—about 480 Mbps.
But if you have an iPhone 16 Pro or the newer iPhone 17 Pro, the port is a beast. We're talking USB 3.2 Gen 2 speeds. These models can hit up to 10 Gbps. You can literally plug a portable SSD (like a Samsung T7) directly into the bottom of your phone and record ProRes video straight to the drive. That's a game-changer for anyone doing "pro" work on a phone.
Charging Speeds: Finally Getting Faster
For a long time, iPhones were stuck in the slow lane for charging. While Android brands were hitting 60W or even 100W, Apple sat comfortably at around 20W to 27W.
With the iPhone 17 series, things actually improved. Using Apple’s newer 40W Dynamic Power Adapter, you can now hit a 50% charge in about 20 minutes. The iPhone 16 Pro was no slouch either, topping out around 30W, but the 17 Pro Max has been tested to pull upwards of 36W in short bursts.
✨ Don't miss: Finding a Power Supply Unit at Walmart: What Most People Get Wrong
It’s still not the fastest in the world, but it’s enough that you don't feel like you're waiting forever while getting ready for work.
The "One Cable" Dream
The best part of this transition? Your life gets simpler.
Think about it. You can use the same cable that charges your MacBook to charge your iPad. Then, you unplug it from the iPad and stick it in your iPhone 17. It just works.
Even better, the new iPhones support reverse wired charging. If your AirPods are dead, you can take a USB-C to USB-C cable, plug one end into your phone and the other into your AirPods case. Your phone will actually give some of its juice to the headphones. It’s limited to about 4.5W, so it's not fast, but it’s a lifesaver in a pinch.
What About Your Old Accessories?
If you have a drawer full of Lightning cables, don't throw them out just yet. You can buy a USB-C to Lightning adapter from Apple for about $29. It’s pricey for a little piece of plastic, but it supports data, audio, and charging.
However, if you have old wired EarPods with a Lightning connector, you’re probably better off just buying the USB-C version of the headphones for $19. It’s cheaper than the adapter.
Actionable Next Steps
If you are planning to upgrade to a newer iPhone soon, here is exactly what you should do to prepare for the USB-C life:
- Check your bricks: Most older iPhone wall plugs were USB-A (the big rectangular ones). USB-C cables need the smaller, rounded USB-C ports on the wall brick. If you don't have a USB-C "Power Delivery" (PD) brick, you'll need to buy one.
- Get a high-speed cable: If you buy a Pro model, don't use the cheap $5 cable from the gas station. To get those 10 Gbps transfer speeds, you need a cable specifically rated for USB 3 or Thunderbolt. The one in the box is great for charging but often limited to slower data speeds.
- Clean your port: USB-C ports are a bit more open than Lightning ports. Lint from your jeans loves to get stuck in there. Every few months, gently use a non-metallic toothpick to clear out the gunk. If your cable doesn't "click" into place, lint is usually the culprit.
- Invest in MagSafe: If you hate the idea of ports altogether, just go wireless. Since the iPhone 12, Apple has pushed MagSafe hard. By the time we get to the iPhone 19 or 20, there are rumors Apple might remove the port entirely, so getting used to wireless charging now isn't a bad idea.
The transition was a bit of a headache at first, but honestly, having one cable for everything is worth the initial cost of a few new chargers. Just make sure you know which model you're buying so you don't get stuck with "Pro" expectations on a "Standard" port speed.