For years, choosing a charging cable meant knowing whether you had an “Android charger” or an “iPhone charger.” That world is changing fast. USB-C is becoming the universal standard across nearly every device, including Apple’s. If you’re confused about which connector you need — and what to do with your old cables — this guide clears it up.
The two connectors, quickly
USB-C is the small, oval, reversible plug now found on almost all modern Android phones, tablets, laptops, games consoles and newer iPhones. Lightning is Apple’s slim connector used on older iPhones (up to the iPhone 14), AirPods and some accessories. Both charge and transfer data, but they are not interchangeable — a Lightning cable won’t fit a USB-C port and vice versa.
Why USB-C is winning
USB-C has real advantages. It’s reversible, so there’s no wrong way to plug it in. It supports much higher power, enabling fast charging for phones, tablets and even laptops from a single cable type. It also handles faster data transfer. On top of the technical benefits, regulations in the UK and Europe have pushed the industry toward USB-C as a common standard, which is why Apple moved the iPhone 15 and later to USB-C.
What this means if you own an iPhone
Check your model. iPhone 15 and newer use USB-C, so they share cables with modern Android phones — great news for mixed households. iPhone 14 and older still use Lightning. If you’re upgrading soon, it’s worth investing in USB-C cables and chargers now, since they’ll serve your next phone and most other gadgets too.
Do you need to throw away your old cables?
Not at all. If you still use a Lightning iPhone, keep your Lightning cables. Many people run a mixed drawer of both for a while, which is completely normal during the transition. The key is to have the right cable for each device and enough of them in the places you charge most — bedside, desk, car and bag.
Choosing chargers during the switch
The smart move is to buy chargers with USB-C output and simply use the right cable for each device (USB-C to USB-C, or USB-C to Lightning for older iPhones). A multi-port charger with USB-C is especially handy for households moving between the two standards, letting everyone charge from one plug. Explore USB-C and Lightning options in our shop, and if you’re unsure what your phone uses, our specifications guide can help.