Apple’s new iPhone 15 models come with a number of changes from their predecessors in terms of design, functions, features and specs. One of the biggest changes comes in the form of a USB Type-C port. With the iPhone 15 series, Apple bid farewell to the popular Lightning port and replaced it with the USB Type-C (or USB-C, as it calls it) port. It was not a move made by choice. Apple was basically arm-twisted into it because of a decision by the European Union that required all phones, tablets and cameras to come with a USB Type C port for charging by the end of 2024. Apple could have picked the Lightning port for the iPhone 15 series as well, but the brand decided to switch ports sooner rather than later.
While some are mourning the demise of the Lightning port, many have embraced the USB Type C port on the new iPhones with open arms. This is because Type C ports will not only make the new iPhones less exclusive in terms of charging (they can now be charged by almost any USB Type C charger) but also because a number of other accessories can now be plugged into an iPhone without having to worry about a Lightning to USB Type C adaptor or dongle. These vary from flash drives to displays to type-C headphones. So if you have got yourself an iPhone 15, grab these gadgets that can plug into its Type-C port and add a new dimension to the iPhone experience (no special connector needed any more):
Table of Contents
SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive Luxe USB Type-C 512GB: Going on a gigabyte storage gig
Rs 4,100
Extra storage can be expensive, especially in the case of an iPhone where the difference between two storage variants is in the vicinity of Rs 10,000. Thanks to the USB Type C port instead of buying an iPhone with more storage, you can simply invest in SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive Luxe USB Type C and get a massive 512GB of extra storage space for a little more than Rs 4,000. This is a tiny metallic thumb drive that not only comes with a USB Type C port on one end but brings a more conventional USB Type-A port on the other end. This makes the flash drive very versatile and easy to use. Using it is as easy as plugging it in your iPhone followed by a quick select, copy and paste and that is pretty much it. The SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive Luxe USB Type-C comes with a read rate of 150 MB/second which means you can speedily share data to and from the device you have plugged it in. Apart from Data storage, the thumb drive also lets you transfer data easily thanks to the presence of both USB Type C and USB Type A connectors on the drive. You cannot install games and apps on it, but it is an excellent option for storing images, videos, documents and a host of other files. Keep it handy and you will never see that low on storage message on your iPhone 15.
Apple EarPods Type C – One wired earphones for them all!
Rs 1,999
When Apple took away the 3.5mm audio jack, it declared war on wired earphones. The only way you could use wired earphones with the iPhone was through a dongle or by using Apple’s own EarPods with a Lightning connector, which unfortunately could not be used with any other device at all. That changes with the iPhone 15. With the Type-C port, you can now use Apple’s very good Type-C EarPods for your music needs and calls, and can then just go right ahead and use them with your MacBook Air or Pro or even your new iPads. In fact, it plays nice even with most Android devices.
Stuffcool Snap Type-C power bank – Plug and charge at top speed, no cable needed
Rs 2,199
The battery life of an iPhone has come a long way and now has the ability to go a long way (pun intended) but it still isn’t quite there, especially if you are the type that really uses it for a lot of photography and gaming. Power banks do exist, but they tend to be heavy and bulky and you need to carry a lightning cable for an iPhone to use it (power banks with wireless charging support tend to be sluggish). With the Type C port on the iPhone 15, we would suggest you simply go with the Stuffcool Snap Type-C power bank. It’s a very compact power bank which is quite compact in size (it can easily fit into your pocket). The long tear-drop-shaped power bank comes with a USB Type C port on top which can be connected to your iPhone (or any other Type C device), without the need for any connecting wire. As it is relatively compact (just 5 cm tall) and remains attached to the base of your iPhone, you can actually continue using your iPhone while it is charging. The best part is that it charges the phone at 20W, which is as fast as a wall power outlet, so you literally can get your iPhone 15 from 0 to 50 per cent in half an hour. That small size means it only carries 5,000mAh worth of charge, but that is enough to recharge your iPhone 15 at least once. It is perfect for those who want the charging speed of a wired power outlet in a small form factor. No wires needed.
ViewSonic Portable Monitor VA 1655 15.6-inch – Big display magic is now plug-and-play
Rs 16,999
Adding earbuds and chargers to your iPhone is all very fine, but what if we tell you that with the USB Type C port on board, you can now connect a full-blown monitor or TV to your new iPhone through just a simple cable. Yes, you read it right – the iPhone 15 series is capable of powering a proper monitor/TV through its Type-C port. And while this can work with a number of monitors and televisions, it really comes to the fore when you use it with a portable monitor, allowing you to switch from a smaller to a larger display by simply connecting a cable. It is a great tool for work, presentations and well, if you are a gamer, play too. One of the best portable monitors out there is the ViewSonic Portable Monitor VA1655, which comes with a large 15.6-inch full HD+ display, which you can connect with your iPhone thanks to the Type C port on both the iPhone and the monitor. The monitor also comes with two USB Type C ports, an HDMI port and a 3.5mm audio jack, giving you a number of connectivity options and letting you connect it to other devices too. It weighs about 820 grams, which is not too heavy for all that extra display real estate. We saved the best for last – the monitor also comes with a very sleek stand which allows you to easily place it on any flat surface, and also a cover which allows you to carry it out like a tablet!
GameSir X2 Type-C Mobile Gaming Controller: Console your iPhone!
Rs 7,499
Gaming on the iPhone has always been top-notch, but with the Lightning port around, it was not easy to elevate the gaming experience by adding gaming controllers to the phone, as controllers with Lightning ports were limited (and often expensive). Bluetooth controllers did exist but did not quite match the speed and responsiveness of their physically connected counterparts, and came with their own battery charging issues. That changes with the arrival of the Type-C port, thanks to which one can use almost every game controller with Type C connectivity with it, just like Android users. One controller that is particularly good is the GameSir X2 Type-C Mobile Gaming Controller, which can turn your iPhone into a Nintendo Switch kind of device with the iPhone in the middle and the control buttons on the side. The Type-C based controller can be stretched out, allowing you to plug in your iPhone, and can even be used with other phones, thanks to this flexibility. The controller has a classic ABXY key layout on one side, a D-Pad layout on the other side, and a joystick on each side, giving you plenty of gameplay options. And as it is a Type C controller, it comes with support for not just iPhone and Android but also for Xbox GamePass and a number of other platforms. It is not the lightest at 359 grams, but is well-designed (the buttons click reassuringly, and the stretchable spring mechanism works smoothly) and comes with a mere 2mAh power consumption. Just plug your iPhone into it, and you never feel disconsol(e)ate in gaming terms.
Amazon Basics USB-C Hub Dock 8-in-1 HDCP Aluminium Type-C Adapter – How many ports do you want then?
Rs 2,299
Yes, Apple has added a USB Type C port on the new range of iPhones but when is one port ever enough for anyone and if you too, subscribe to this thought then this product will definitely be one to get for your new iPhone. As the name suggests, the Amazon Basics USB-C Hub Dock 8-in-1 HDCP Aluminium Type-C Adapter (no marks for nomenclature) is a hub dock which, as its name indicates, holds eight different varieties of ports and comes with a USB Type C connector. This means you can plug it into your iPhone and then hook up pretty much any other device into it. The hub dock comes with a 4K HDMI port, a USB 3.0, a USB 2.0, a TF/ SD card reader slot, an Ethernet 100 Mbps port, a USB C power delivery port and a USB C connector. All of this is packed into a sleek, aluminium, rectangular device which is slim enough to be carried in a handbag as well. The aluminium finish gives it a very premium feel and the different ports make it a handy and versatile gadget to carry along – you can use it to connect your iPhone to a card reader, a display, a charger, even an Ethernet connection and much more, all at the same time. Just remember not to connect too many devices as they could drain the phone’s battery heavily and also tax its processor.
Almost any phone or TWS – empowered to power other devices, albeit slowly
With the introduction of the USB Type C port on the iPhone 15 series, you can actually plug in other devices to the iPhone and add some power to them. Quite literally. In simple terms, you can use your iPhone as a charger for other devices, courtesy reverse charging. The new iPhones come with a reverse charging feature. This would have been of little use a few years ago, given that it was usually the iPhones that themselves needed charging. But the battery life of the iPhones has improved considerably in recent times, so much so that, combined with reverse charging and USB Type C port, the new iPhones can be a usable enough charger in desperate situations. Yes, it would charge slowly (thanks to a 4.5W power delivery), but you can plug in your TWS or even another smartphone, provided it comes with reverse charging support and get it going. That’s called being empowered! (Note: at the time of writing, reverse charging was causing some issues – some iPhones even started charging power banks instead of being charged by them. Touching, if draining, generosity!)
