Made for iPhone Program now includes USB Type-C to Lightning Cables
The USB Type-C to Lightning cable is the latest cable type approved for manufacturing under Apple’s Made for iPhone (MFi) program. Apple has made plans to introduce third party USB-C to Lightning cables to the market, and has notified MFi approved manufacturers that the updated C94 Lightning Connector type, specific for producing this cable, is available for purchase. USB-C to Lightning cable promises faster charging than USB Standard-A to Lightning, with USB-C to Lightning providing up to 18W of power. So, while most laptops have USB Type-C and USB Standard-A ports, this will be the fastest way of charging your devices safely.
The article “The first MFi USB-C to Lightning cable is up for pre-order, $3 cheaper than Apple's” explains, “By connecting using USB-C instead of normal USB, the cable allows for owners of more recent iPhones to use its the protocol's Power Delivery support, enabling fast charging when used with a higher-wattage power adapter. It also enables for iPhones and iPads to be charged directly from a MacBook, without requiring any extra dongles.”
Third Party Manufacturers and USB-C to Lightning
Photo by Anker Electronics is the first third party vendor to jump on this new opportunity, recently announcing their introduction their own version of the USB-C to Lighting cable. Anker is currently offering pre-orders on their cable, which is available for $3 less than Apple’s.
In the past, only genuine Apple cables had guaranteed specific circuitry to prevent the risk of over-charging while counterfeit and generic cables often saw issues with delivering safe and quality cables of the same caliber. Because manufacturers within the Apple MFi program must adhere to strict standards when producing Lightning cables, 3rd party vendors are now able to supply quality cables to the general public as well.
With Apple making moves to release USB-C to Lightning into the MFi community, we will start seeing an influx of such cables in the market. Because there are many MFi manufacturers, enhanced competition and lower prices are expected to come.
Since the USB-C to Lightning cable is newly added to the MFi program, MFi manufacturers looking to move into this space can benefit from the Total Phase Advanced Cable Tester v2 which supports complete comprehensive testing on USB-C to Lightning cables. This cable tester allows manufacturers to confidently test in laboratory settings and mass production assembly lines, allowing quick and cost-effective individual quality control at various stages on the development and manufacturing process. The Advanced Cable Tester v2 performs a set of comprehensive tests, ensuring each cable passes the respective standards in continuity, IR Drop/DCR, E-marker validity, and signal integrity measurements. If cables fail these tests, users can easily review the errors and their sources in a comprehensive test report.
The Advanced Cable Tester v2 specifically supports both USB Standard-A to Lightning and USB Type-C to Lightning cables. It offers exclusive testing for MFi cable partners. With the Advanced Cable Tester v2, developers and manufacturers will be able to test the Lightning plug bring up and function. There are also tests to check for over-voltage protection and voltage recovery testing. Additionally, the Advanced Cable Tester v2 measures the quiescent current consumption of MFi cables.
To learn more about these tests and how they are performed, please visit our blog post, “How Cable Testing Ensures Safety and Quality of Manufacturing”.
For more information, please contact us at sales@totalphase.com.