Bought a New iPhone 15? Try These USB-C Accessories First
Connect USB-C cables to older USB-A ports
Syntech USB-C adapters (3-pack)
The iPhone 15 series brings a lot of upgrades, but one of the most notable changes is the switch from the Lightning port to Type-C. For those unaware, USB-C has been a technology standard for a few years now, featuring on nearly every mobile device and computer, not to mention a lot of Apple products. However, people are still left with drawers, travel bags, and car consoles full of Lightning cables. If you’re one of them, your best option is to overhaul your cable situation.
In addition to USB-C charger upgrades and other must-haves for a new iPhone (like a new case), there’s a hefty collection of “nice to haves” (including new wireless speakers or headphones). It’s worth noting that the current version of the list below includes products we’re confident will work with Apple’s new iPhones.
The iPhone 15 line is the first to feature USB-C charging ports on the phone itself, but Apple has been shipping cables with USB-C on the power source side for a few years now. Still have an old-fashioned wall adapter with a rectangular USB-A port? That works with the addition of a few cheap dongles (see below), but it can result in slower charging speeds. For the best experience, invest in a wall adapter that has native USB-C ports and is rated at at least 20 watts or more. For under $20, we like the Anker 323 , which maxes out at 33 watts and includes both USB-C and USB-A ports for maximum charging flexibility. We charged an iPhone 14 Pro from zero to 57% in 30 minutes with this model; you should have no problem achieving similarly fast charging on the iPhone 15 series.
Pro Upgrade: If you want an even more powerful charger, switch to Anker’s 735 Charger. It has an additional USB-C port and can charge up to 65 watts, which is enough for most laptops.
Amazon Customer Sentiment
People who bought this charger rated it an average of 4.8 out of 5. Reviewers liked the fast charging speed and said the compact size and foldable pins make it convenient for travel.
To be clear, your new iPhone 15 includes a 1-meter (3.3-foot) Apple USB-C cable in the box. You’ll need some extra cables for other rooms in the house or for traveling. Most recent generic USB-C cables should suffice, but we like these Anker cables , which are braided for durability and rated for up to 100 watts of charging power. Even better, Anker is giving you a two-pack of 6-footers for $16. That’s better than the $19 Apple charges for its 1 meter braided cable (likely the same one that ships with the new iPhones) and the $29 the company is charging for chargers for its Lightning to USB-C adapter. (Do yourself a favor and buy these cables instead of that adapter.)
Pro Upgrade: If you want a cable that is fully rated for higher wattage charging, faster data speeds, and 8K video output, go with the Anker 515 USB 4 Cable instead of.
Amazon Customer Sentiment
The Anker 333 USB-C cables have a 4.7 out of 5 Amazon rating. People love the convenience of the 10-inch length, the durability of the braided cable, and the fast charging speed. A few reviewers noted that these cables aren’t ideal for high-speed data transfers, while a handful reported issues using these adapters with iPhones. The latter could mean that this product won’t work with every car that has Apple CarPlay on board
Adapters like these let you plug a USB-C cable into a USB-A slot. (Your biggest challenge will be not losing them: Just leave them in the slots on your PC or chargers.) Note that these aren’t rated for bandwidth higher than USB 2.0, but they’re fine for emergency charging or data transfer. For example, we recently used one to charge an Apple Watch charger (which has a USB-C plug) from a USB-A outlet during a recent hotel stay.
Amazon Customer Sentiment
These Syntech USB-C adapters are rated 4.6 out of 5 stars and have been praised for their compact size, value, and convenience compared to buying new charging blocks.
Like recent iPhones, the iPhone 15 series supports MagSafe charging, Apple’s take on the Qi wireless charging standard that allows you to magnetically attach battery packs and other accessories to the back of the phone. (Apple has confirmed that the iPhone 15 will support the emerging Qi2 standard, though the company hasn’t specified what exactly that means in terms of charging speeds or wattage limits.) This magnetic battery pack from Baseus isn’t fully MagSafe compatible, as it won’t charge your iPhone at full speed, but for the sub-$40 price point, it’s a better buy than Apple’s own, now-discontinued $95 Battery Packwhich has less battery capacity, requires a Lightning cord, and lacks the built-in kickstand. If colors are your thing, this one has more options than the standard Apple White. It also has twice the capacity of the comparable Anchor 622 MagGo (which is a good choice if you want a lighter option).
Amazon Customer Sentiment
With a 4.5 out of 5 star rating, the Baseus Magnetic Power Bank won approval for its long battery life and how firmly the magnet attaches to a phone. People also loved the bonus features, including a hidden kickstand and digital battery percentage display.
While you can certainly strap your phone to the top of your favorite console controller, it’s not the most portable solution ever. There are a handful of gaming controllers designed to wrap around your phone so that the buttons are on either side of the screen, and if you’re looking for the best one, you’re really going to want a Backbone. You can choose between Xbox and PlayStation button layouts with matching color schemes, and the grips couldn’t be more comfortable for on-the-go gameplay. It’s a little more expensive than a standard controller, but it’s much more compact and you can actually charge your phone while you play thanks to USB-C pass-through.
Amazon Customer Sentiment
The Backbone One Mobile gaming controller has a rating of 4.3 out of 5. Reviewers like how lightweight it is and how well it fits on your phone compared to previous models. Some people didn’t like the sensitivity of the joysticks and some found the grip too small. The fact that you have to remove your phone case to use it was a point of friction for some.
One of the cool things that USB-C brings to the iPhone 15 Pro series is the ability to connect to professional photography and videography gear. If you’re looking to try that out without spending a huge amount of money, this field monitor seems like a great place to start. You can connect the monitor to your phone over USB-C and get a waveform readout, allowing you to correct it without having to move your phone. It’s a relatively inexpensive way to try something new on your phone, and a great way to dive deeper into the world of iPhone photography.
Amazon Customer Sentiment
With a rating of 4.3 out of 5, reviews of the Feelworld FW568 V3 touched on its great picture quality and lightweight feel. Reviewers wished for a touchscreen and didn’t like that it doesn’t come with a power supply. (Be sure to purchase batteries if you order one.)
For many people, the big question with any new phone and case is, “Can I use my PopSocket with this?” The good news is that for the iPhone 15, the answer is always yes. All you have to do is make sure you have the right thing to attach your favorite PopSocket design to. That’s why we recommend everyone check out the new MagSafe Round. It’s full of magnets to ensure a secure connection, whether it’s directly onto the back of your phone or a MagSafe case. If you’re looking for a case that doesn’t come with MagSafe, the Round comes with an adhesive ring of magnets that you can stick to the inside and maintain that secure connection. When you’re ready to charge your phone, simply pull the PopSocket down and you’re good to go.
Case option: Prefer a case with an integrated PopSocket? The company offers that for the full range of iPhone models.
Amazon Customer Sentiment
With a rating of 4.6 out of 5, the PopSocket is praised for its strong magnet and ease of installation and removal. While many people loved the sleek and attractive design, others found it a bit too big.
