Lightning cable quality

slicksilver

Golden Member
Mar 14, 2000
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Are they different quality lightning cables out there? Will there be any difference in performance between Apple Lightning to USB Cable, AmazonBasics USB A to Lightning Cable and a cheap Chinese lightning cable? Ignore the authentication part and please post your thoughts only on charging time and the data transfer speeds when connected to a computer.
 

TheStu

Moderator<br>Mobile Devices & Gadgets
Moderator
Sep 15, 2004
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The data and power should be the same, but the cheap ones will fail faster almost certainly. The AmazonBasic ones might be ok.
 

xanis

Lifer
Sep 11, 2005
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I have two Monoprice lightning cables; one for the car and one for work. I've had both since July and they've been fine. TheStu is probably right in that they probably won't last as long, but for ~$17 less than the Apple branded cable (for the 2m/7ft) I'm not too concerned. I'll replace it if I need to.
 

gar655

Senior member
Mar 4, 2008
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Amazon basic doesn't support charging and transfer at the same time. Basically it's just for charging as in you can't hook it up to your car USB and play music. Lame!

Had I known that I wouldn't have bought one, so now I just use it to charge my phone at work.

Get a real Apple branded cable. It's the only one that doesn't have a gimped lightening connector.
 

xanis

Lifer
Sep 11, 2005
17,571
8
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Amazon basic doesn't support charging and transfer at the same time. Basically it's just for charging as in you can't hook it up to your car USB and play music. Lame!

Had I known that I wouldn't have bought one, so now I just use it to charge my phone at work.

Get a real Apple branded cable. It's the only one that doesn't have a gimped lightening connector.

Interesting, didn't know about that issue with the Amazon-brand. FWIW I haven't had that problems with the Monoprice cables, and they don't seem to be handicapped in any way.
 

slicksilver

Golden Member
Mar 14, 2000
1,571
0
71
Amazon basic doesn't support charging and transfer at the same time. Basically it's just for charging as in you can't hook it up to your car USB and play music. Lame!

Had I known that I wouldn't have bought one, so now I just use it to charge my phone at work.

Get a real Apple branded cable. It's the only one that doesn't have a gimped lightening connector.

I didn't know this too.

I got two 3 feet lightning cables for $4.75 each. I dont get the ios7 authentication screen notice. Dont mind them dying too soon as I paid very little for them. I'm using them only for charging purpose.
 

slicksilver

Golden Member
Mar 14, 2000
1,571
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Interesting, didn't know about that issue with the Amazon-brand. FWIW I haven't had that problems with the Monoprice cables, and they don't seem to be handicapped in any way.

Dont see any Mfi (Made for Iphone) certifcation on the amazonbasics cable anywhere so I guess the limitation is true. Monoprice cables on the other hand, are MFI certified.
 

rsutoratosu

Platinum Member
Feb 18, 2011
2,716
4
81
my monoprice ones are awesome, i got a bunch of short 4-5 inch ones for the portable battery chargers and they have not had issues..

I also have that griffin 9 ft one, that one is well made, nice and thick but it was like 35 bucks..
 

Tyranicus

Senior member
Aug 28, 2007
914
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I have two Monoprice lightning cables; one for the car and one for work. I've had both since July and they've been fine. TheStu is probably right in that they probably won't last as long, but for ~$17 less than the Apple branded cable (for the 2m/7ft) I'm not too concerned. I'll replace it if I need to.

I bought two Monoprice cables earlier this year and both stopped working within a few months.