Guide
USB-C or
Lightning?
iPhone 15 and every iPhone since use USB-C. iPhone 14 and older, back to the iPhone 5, use Lightning. Here's every model, and how to set up one charger that works for the whole house.
Updated 9 November 2026
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Every model
| Model | Port | Cable data speed | MagSafe |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone Duo | USB-C | See Apple's specs | Yes |
| iPhone 18 Pro Max | USB-C | See Apple's specs | Yes |
| iPhone 18 Pro | USB-C | See Apple's specs | Yes |
| iPhone 17 Pro Max | USB-C | USB 3 (up to 10 Gb/s) | Yes |
| iPhone 17 Pro | USB-C | USB 3 (up to 10 Gb/s) | Yes |
| iPhone Air | USB-C | USB 2 | Yes |
| iPhone 17 | USB-C | USB 2 | Yes |
| iPhone 17e | USB-C | See Apple's specs | Yes |
| iPhone 16 Pro Max | USB-C | USB 3 (up to 10 Gb/s) | Yes |
| iPhone 16 Pro | USB-C | USB 3 (up to 10 Gb/s) | Yes |
| iPhone 16 Plus | USB-C | USB 2 | Yes |
| iPhone 16 | USB-C | USB 2 | Yes |
| iPhone 16e | USB-C | USB 2 | No |
| iPhone 15 Pro Max | USB-C | USB 3 (up to 10 Gb/s) | Yes |
| iPhone 15 Pro | USB-C | USB 3 (up to 10 Gb/s) | Yes |
| iPhone 15 Plus | USB-C | USB 2 | Yes |
| iPhone 15 | USB-C | USB 2 | Yes |
| iPhone 14 Pro Max | Lightning | USB 2 | Yes |
| iPhone 14 Pro | Lightning | USB 2 | Yes |
| iPhone 14 Plus | Lightning | USB 2 | Yes |
| iPhone 14 | Lightning | USB 2 | Yes |
| iPhone 13 Pro Max | Lightning | USB 2 | Yes |
| iPhone 13 Pro | Lightning | USB 2 | Yes |
| iPhone 13 | Lightning | USB 2 | Yes |
| iPhone 13 mini | Lightning | USB 2 | Yes |
| iPhone 12 Pro Max | Lightning | USB 2 | Yes |
| iPhone 12 Pro | Lightning | USB 2 | Yes |
| iPhone 12 | Lightning | USB 2 | Yes |
| iPhone 12 mini | Lightning | USB 2 | Yes |
| iPhone 11 Pro Max | Lightning | USB 2 | No |
| iPhone 11 Pro | Lightning | USB 2 | No |
| iPhone 11 | Lightning | USB 2 | No |
From Apple's technical specifications. Data speed only matters for moving files by cable; charging works the same way on every model.
One charger for every iPhone
The charger brick is the easy part: any USB-C power adapter of 20W or more fast-charges every iPhone on this list. Only the cable changes:
- Lightning iPhones (iPhone 14 and older) need a USB-C to Lightning cable. Pick one marked “Made for iPhone” (MFi), which means it's built to Apple's accessory standard.
- USB-C iPhones (iPhone 15 and newer) use a USB-C to USB-C cable, the same kind that charges most laptops, tablets and Android phones.
So a mixed household needs one USB-C adapter per charging spot and the right cable for each phone, not a different charger for each.
Don't throw out your Lightning cables
If an iPhone 14 or older is still in the house, its Lightning cable has years of life left, and so does the phone. Plenty of older accessories use Lightning too. Keep them until the last device that needs one is retired, then recycle them.
Faster file transfers on Pro models
The iPhone 15 Pro, 16 Pro and 17 Pro models support USB 3 speeds of up to 10 Gb/s, but only with a USB 3 cable; the cable in the box is USB 2. The standard iPhone 15, 16, 17, 16e and iPhone Air move data at USB 2 speeds whatever cable you use.
If you need one
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USB-C to Lightning (MFi) cables USB-C to USB-C cables 20W+ USB-C chargers USB 3 cables for Pro models
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