USB-C for Lightning iPhones

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Product & Manufacturing Setup

  • Commenters praise the accompanying video and note the maker’s hardware lab is far beyond typical hobbyist level, with a high‑end pick‑and‑place.
  • Some speculate he financed equipment and can amortize it over this and future products. Others compare it favorably to what early‑stage startups have.

Data Speeds & Technical Constraints

  • The case only delivers USB 2.0, which several note is inherent to Lightning iPhones (except niche iPad Pro setups).
  • This triggers a side debate on real‑world USB 2.0 throughput: claims range from ~35–40 MB/s practical to “can saturate 480 Mbit/s” nowadays.
  • An 8‑hour 256 GB migration is called “almost certainly a software issue,” not a pure bandwidth limit.

Lightning vs USB‑C: Durability & Feel

  • Many say Lightning is mechanically superior: smaller, more satisfying “click,” highly reliable, tolerant of debris, and harder to damage in practice.
  • Others counter that USB‑C intentionally moves the main wear parts into the cable, not the device, which is better for long‑term reliability.
  • There’s disagreement over which port is actually more fragile; anecdotes exist for failures on both sides (Lightning pins vs USB‑C center tab or loose ports).

Regulation, Timing & Standardization

  • Some insist Apple would have switched to USB‑C anyway; others see the EU mandate as a key forcing function and question Apple’s motives.
  • Broad agreement that having “one cable for everything” is a huge convenience, especially for households already mostly on USB‑C.

Audio & Headphone Jack

  • Several wish the case added a 3.5 mm jack; others say they no longer miss it due to AirPods/ANC wireless gear.
  • There’s discussion of Lightning/USB‑C audio dongles, DAC quality, and reliability quirks.
  • Crucially, the product explicitly does not support USB‑C headphone adapters or any accessory that needs power from the phone.

Use Cases, Alternatives & Price

  • Target users: those with Lightning iPhones who want USB‑C cable unification without buying a new phone.
  • Alternatives mentioned: USB‑C→Lightning adapters, existing USB‑C charging cases, wireless transfer tools.
  • Some balk at the ~50 CHF price and predict very cheap Chinese clones; others value the 3D‑printed material and small‑maker craftsmanship.
  • Early buyer feedback: nice texture and details, but the corner connector can dig into the hand and top latch feels a bit fragile.