High quality lightning cable. How to distinguish an original Lightning cable from a Chinese fake

Given the huge number of counterfeit Apple accessories that work with iPhone and iPad only partially and often break, the method of identifying branded ones is very important. An official one appeared on the company's technical support website, telling how to distinguish an original Lightning cable from a fake.

The official cable in the Apple online store costs 1,500 rubles, but in stores located on a completely different part of the world, there is something very similar to what we need, but at the same time with five times less price. We are talking about unofficial cords for iPhone and iPad, whose manufacturers pass them off as original products. The use of such accessories may result in damage to the electronic components of mobile devices or a quick failure of the product itself. Distinguishing a fake is not always easy, but it is quite within the power of any user.

Packaging and text on the cable

If you got the cable in the package, then you should start studying with it. The original box is made of thick cardboard with high quality printing. At the bottom there is a sticker with the characteristics of the accessory and the batch number. A plastic hanger is glued on the upper part, with the help of which the box is hung on the display window in the store.

Each cable from Apple, in turn, has a serial number and the inscription "Designed by Apple in California, Assembled in China" ("Designed by Apple in California, assembled in China"). Of course, Chinese copies are also accompanied by an inscription and a serial number, only they look different. The text on the original cable is gray and printed with better quality. The font on the fake is bolder, applied with dark gray paint. It is worth noting that some branded Lightning cables do not have a cable marking.

Lightning connector

Next, you should pay attention to the constituent elements of the accessory: each of them has features by which you can distinguish a fake. The original Lightning plug is one-piece - made of a single metal element. A fake connector consists of several parts. The metal tip of the original is very neatly pressed into the plastic casing, while the copy has noticeable gaps. The size of the proprietary connector is 7.7 x 12 mm, it may vary for copies.

The next step is to study contacts. On a certified cable, they are even and practically do not stand out above the connector surface, the contact boundaries are round. The metal contact itself is painted in grey colour, fakes are light and dark.

USB plug

The plastic case of the USB plug has the USB logo. On the original cable, the paint has a light gray color, applied very carefully. On the copy, the image is dark gray and has fuzzy borders.

The connector itself is also quite remarkable. Its outer part in the original cable has only two holes on the side with the USB logo. A fake can contain four. It is worth paying attention also to the metal joints on the opposite side of the connector. You can see them, but in the original cable, the parts fit very tightly together. In addition, the joints are trapezoidal and are at the same distance from the edges. The contacts themselves are gold plated.

A fake can be given by the coating of the plug. The metal tip of the original cable has a smooth finish, the unofficial one has a rough surface. If you look inside the convector, you can see a flat back. The copy may have grooves and holes.

Dialogue in the Megafon office:

Woman: Do you have the original cable for my iPhone?

Salesman: There is no original, but why do you need it? Take this one for 450.

And he stretches out an ordinary white Chinese cable, which you can take to aliexpress for less than 100 rubles.

These cables are sold everywhere: in offices of cellular networks, at points of sale in shopping centers, in household appliances stores. But they are clearly overpriced. What kind of business is it in Russian when the markup is 300-400%? Why overpay speculators?! Below I will list some great alternatives to the original Apple cable.

The most common white cable

For a couple of bucks, you can buy a regular cable, most similar to the original.

Bastec is another cheap option

We still do not go beyond $ 2. You can get a very cheap cable from Bastec.

Advantages:

• looks more decent than a regular cable
• several colors to choose from
• several sizes to choose from (from 50 to 300 centimeters). The longer, the more expensive, but even the longest costs less than $5

Suntaiho - the Chinese are burning!

A nice cable option for under $2 again! This seller, in addition to the standard Suntaiho cable, also sells an ordinary white cable for ridiculous money.

And this is very similar to a copy of Bastec. The Chinese do not bother much - they copy from each other ... There are 4 color options, including glamorous pink. And the price is still the same - less than $ 2!

Let's move on to more expensive models.

Rock - MFI certified cable

If all previous cables were Chinese working crafts, then the Rock cable is officially certified by Apple. What does this give the user? 100% guarantee that Apple will not block this cable by any means using the operating system. It won’t block the cheaper ones either, but still…

And, accordingly, the quality and price of such a cable should be higher.

Another certified cable from Aukey. The creators did not invent anything, but made the cable look like the original one.

Advice: Each purchase in Aliexpress is a separate package. Parcels go for 30-60 days. In the case of cables, I recommend not saving and taking two different cables at once from two different sellers. It may be worth reconciling in advance that one of the two cables will not suit you. If both work, you'll get an extra backup option for charging your iPhone and iPad.

I am original apple cable I won't buy anymore. And it's not even the price of 1500, but the quality of performance. In almost all Apple cables in my memory, sooner or later the insulation near the base was torn. Therefore, almost all my cables are rewound with electrical tape. And this is not normal ... Why encourage poor quality ?!

Take care of yourself!)

Perhaps you will be interested.

Someday you will find that your original Apple Lightning cable breaks near the Lightning connector with frequent use. Nothing personal just business. And the accessories business can be very lucrative. What could be easier than buying the same original Apple cable as a replacement? You go to a store or the store's website and see that the Apple cable costs from UAH 779 ($19 in the official US store). This price will make someone wonder why a piece of wire is so expensive? At the same time, dozens of Lightning cables from other manufacturers, both famous and nameless, lie nearby, the cost is from 50 UAH to a couple of thousand.

There are hundreds, if not thousands, of manufacturers who produce such cables under different brands. Chinese shoppers will find that all major Chinese marketplaces offer Lightning cables from 50 cents per kilo. Hundreds of options. And there's no end to the "100% New Original Genuine Real Authentic Apple Lightning" package with all stickers from $3 each. And what to choose?

Lightning cable - what is the specifics

Let's go from afar ... The rights to the Lightning connector belong to Apple. Third-party manufacturers legally cannot simply take and release a cable with such a connector and sell it in the future. To do this, you need to obtain authorization from Apple's MFi Manufacturing Licensees by fulfilling a number of requirements. Moreover, the manufacturer must pay Apple $4 for each Lightning connector, i.e. cable. It turns out that a certified MFi (Made for iPod, Made for iPhone, Made for iPad) cable cannot cost less than $4.

There are both certified and non-certified cables on sale. Moreover, the market is full of fakes for the most popular brands (for example, Apple, Belkin, etc.).

With non-certified Lightning cables, there is another caveat. An authentication chip is built into the Lightning connector, with which Apple tries to fight uncertified accessories. Previously, you could encounter the fact that the cable stopped working after an iOS update, the device reported an uncertified accessory. But Chinese manufacturers have long learned to get around this "problem", such messages have become rare. We will definitely check this in the review.

In the review, we will not be able to test all existing cables, there are hundreds or thousands of them. But a rough picture of the market will be possible. Let's try to formulate a general approach to buying Lightning cables.

Our test subjects

Original cable from Apple (MFi)

Everyone is familiar with this cable. The cable is thin, medium rigidity. Length 1 meter. Let's call it "Apple".

A small recommendation for buying this cable. This is the most counterfeit Lightning cable. I wouldn't be surprised if there are more fakes sold than original cables. Sellers on eBay will be happy to sell you such a cable for $3 in branded packaging, given that it costs $19 in the official Apple store. You need to buy such a cable only in an authorized store to reduce the risk of buying a fake.

Original cable from Apple after a couple of years of active use (MFi)

Without a torn cable, the test will be incomplete. This picture was highlighted by many consumers of Apple products. The cable is absolutely working, but it does not look very nice. The test will show if the characteristics of the damaged cable change. Let's call it "Apple U".

One of the cheapest cables from Aliexpress

This cable was purchased from Aliexpress for $0.67. He had a couple of tens of thousands of sales and a rating above 96%. By the time the article was published, the lot had been removed from the site (but there are plenty of similar lots). I met a similar cable with us offline. The cable is flat, very thin, even translucent. There are burrs on the plastic case. There are different colors. Length 1 meter. Let's call it Red.

We have already encountered a similar cable in the previous review, then it was the CN4 micro-USB cable - one of the worst cables in the test.

Cable KALUOS (MFi)

This cable is sold literally everywhere. It is present on all major trading platforms, even in popular and reputable non-Chinese online stores. It is found in our online and offline stores. It's cheap, I bought it for $3. The look and quality is just amazing. A thick cable of medium hardness, nylon braid, aluminum connector housing - when you take it in your hands, you get the feeling of a very high-quality and expensive product that you want to use. There are two colors: silver and gold. And two lengths. I specifically took the cable with the maximum length - 1.5 meters. Oddities arose with the MFi certification. MFi logos are indicated everywhere, but this brand is not in the Apple database. Let's call this cable "KALUOS".

Belkin cable (MFi)

The main problem with this cable is a huge number of fakes. Because the brand is incredibly popular, this cable has been hit by an army of fakes. It is very difficult to distinguish the original from the fake (even the packaging is completely copied). We cost from 200 UAH to a thousand. On different trading platforms from $2. In reputable online stores from $10. In the official store $ 19. I bought it on eBay for $4. Everything came in original packaging. The seller swore under an oath that the cable was original from Belkin. The cable is thick, medium hardness. Length 1.2 meters. Lightning connector as on MFi cables (cheap cables usually have a different connector). If it were not for the burrs on the body of the connectors, I would not have found a single reason (without knowing the price) to recognize this cable as a fake. Considering the price, there is no doubt that this is a fake cable. My recommendation - if you buy this cable, then only in branded and reputable stores. Otherwise, you can buy this cable for 500 UAH, but in fact it will turn out to be a cable for $ 2, you will not be able to distinguish it yourself.

It is what it is. Let's call this cable "Belkin".

Cable Lemfo (MFi)

The cable is certified by MFi, is in the Apple database. And not just certified, but a complete copy of the original cable from Apple (the company provides a template). It can be distinguished from the original Apple cable only by the lemfo logo and the absence of the “Designed by Apple…” inscription on the cable itself. The same thickness, the same rigidity, the same connectors without differences. Length 1 meter. I bought it on JD for $10. The cable is sold in many other stores, for example, in Amazon it costs $8. Let's call it "Lemfo".

Cable from YourCharger

With cables from this manufacturer (seller on eBay) we have already met in the previous review. The long cable (2 meters) micro-USB was one of the best in the test. Now it's the turn of the Lightning cable. Length 2 meters. The cable is thick and very flexible. You can only buy it on eBay for $8. It is also available in white and different lengths, up to 5 meters. This cable is for charging only (all the wires inside are for power only), you cannot sync data with it. Let's call it "YourCharger".

SNOWKIDS cable (MFi)

Certified cable, present in the Apple database. The cable is thick, medium hardness. Connectors are massive. Length 1.3 meters. Feels like a quality product in the hand. I bought it from JD for $10. In China, you can buy it locally for $6. Included is a Velcro for cable management. Let's call it "Snowkids".

Nillkin cable

This cable has been recommended to me by many in the past. The brand is popular. Thousands of sales on many sites and a 100% buyer rating. I bought on Aliexpress for $4.5 from an authorized seller. I saw this cable offline in many places. High-quality packaging with a secret code to verify originality (like Xiaomi). The cable is flat, thick and flexible. There are slight burrs on the connectors, but in the hands it feels like a very high quality product. Length of cable 1.2 meters. The cable has a strap for cable management. Various colors are available. The cable does not have MFi certification, it is not written anywhere and there is no brand on the base. Let's call him "Nillkin".

triple cable

This cable has already shown amazing results (for a micro-USB tail). Nameless cable, 23 cm. Triple - microUSB, Lightning, Apple 30-pin. Fabric braid. The thickness is medium, flexible. I bought it a few years ago for less than a dollar on eBay. Let's call it "Triple".

ESK Cable (MFi)

Certified MFi cable, present in the Apple database. But there are no labels or logos on the cable itself. A complete copy of the original cable from Apple (made according to the template). It is impossible to distinguish, only by the absence of the inscription "Designed by Apple ..." on the cable itself. Length 1 meter. I bought it from JD for $10. Let's call it "ESK".

Biaze cable (MFi)

I bought this cable on Aliexpress for $6. It was unnamed, just "certified by MFi cable", there were photos of "confirmation". Buyer rating 100%. Upon receipt, the Biaze logo was found on the cable. I did not find this brand in the Apple database. At first glance, it may seem that this is a 100% copy of the original Apple cable (made according to the template), but when compared, it turned out that the Biase cable is thinner. Length of cable 1 meter. Let's call him "Biaze".

Just cheap cable #1

I bought this cable for $0.62 on Aliexpress. The main task was to find the cheapest cable that is similar to the Apple cable. The most popular Lightning cable on Aliexpress - over forty thousand sales, buyer rating is above 95%. Not a cable, but a dream :). It looks like an Apple cable, but the differences are immediately visible. The connectors are different in detail, the cable itself is thinner. Length of cable 1 meter. Let's call it "Fake 1".

Just cheap cable #2

I bought this cable in Moscow in some shop for 200 rubles. I was just looking for the cheapest cable offline: "Give me the cheapest cable, charge the iPhone." It looks like an Apple cable, but the differences are immediately visible. The connectors are different in detail, the cable itself is thinner. Length of cable 1 meter. Let's call it "Fake 2".

Long cheap cable

I bought this cable a long time ago for $1 on eBay. Length of cable 2 meters(bought only for the sake of length). This cable and YourCharger are the longest in the review. The cable is similar to the cable from Apple, but the differences are immediately visible. The connectors are different in detail, the cable itself is thinner. Let's call it "Fake 3".

LG micro-USB cable and Lightning adapter

The cable from LG is one of the best micro-USB cables and a small micro-USB to Lightning adapter. There are many different adapters (including certified ones). In this review, we will use the cheapest non-certified adapter for $0.5. Let's call the cable "LG".

Lightning Cable Tests

Output power test

In the test, we will use the Tronsmart TS-UC5PC charger. This is a quality multi-port charger.

Using the load module (dissipation power 10 W), we will check the output power of the cables. Connect the cable to the charger. Connect the Lightning to micro-USB adapter to the end of the cable. We connect the adapter to the tester, which has a micro-USB connector. This tester is not the best, but allows you to use the minimum number of adapters. Connect the load module to the tester itself.

The Lightning to micro-USB adapter will increase the resistance, but this is not important for us, because. All cables are tested under the same conditions.

The test results will show which cables have the lowest total resistance (wires themselves, connectors, soldering).

Connect the load module to the charger directly.

5.05 V, 1.89 A, i.e. 9.54 W.

Now let's connect the cables one by one and take measurements.

Apple: 4.52V, 1.69A, 7.64W.
Apple U: 4.41V, 1.65A, 7.26W.
RED: 3.6V, 1.34A, 4.82W.
Belkin: 4.18V, 1.57A, 6.56W.
YourCharger: 4.29V, 1.6A, 6.86W.
Nillkin: 4.40V, 1.64A, 7.22W.
Lemfo: 4.54V, 1.69A, 7.67W.
KALUOS: 3.95V, 1.47A, 5.8W.
Biaze: 4.21V, 1.57A, 6.60W.
Snowkids: 4.61V, 1.72A, 7.93W.
Fake 3: 3.2V, 1.19A, 3.81W.
Triple: 4.51V, 1.68A, 7.58W.
ESK: 4.20V, 1.56A, 6.55W.
Fake 1: 3.69V, 1.37A, 5.06W.
Fake 2: 4.09V, 1.52A, 6.22W.
LG: 4.38V, 1.63A, 7.14W.

Sort by output power and summarize in a single diagram. More is better.

Snowkids is the undisputed leader, he has minimum resistance from those tested.

Measurements of the current strength when charging the iPad

We will use the iPad mini (third generation) and measure the current output from the charger. iPad is almost empty. In an ideal situation, it should consume a current of 2 A.

Only 4 out of 16 cables provide 2.01A of current. All the others do not allow the iPad to consume current limiting current. What does it mean? Roughly speaking, for example, with a RED cable your iPad will charge 2.25 times longer than with cables: Apple, Lemfo, Snowkids.

Current measurements when charging the battery pack

We will use a dead Yoobao battery pack and a Lightning to micro-USB adapter.

The more current, the better.

The picture with measurements of output power is completely repeated.

Compatibility test

I planned to make tables, but there was no need. During the entire testing period, there were no problems with any of the cables. Whichever side of the connector I connected them to the charger, neither the iPhone 6 nor the iPad reported that an uncertified accessory was connected. The devices were running iOS 9.2. The same was with the computer. iPhone and iPad were perfectly detected in iTunes and allowed to synchronize data. The only exception is the YourCharger cable, with it the computer did not see the device, because. The cable is for charging only.

conclusions

From our test, only 4 out of 16 cables provide the maximum current for the iPad mini. Our heroes: Apple(MFI) Snowkids(MFI) Lemfo(MFi), triple cable.

Does the presence of the MFi logo guarantee that you will receive the highest quality cable that will charge the device with the maximum current? It does not guarantee, but the chances of acquiring a quality cable increase.

Does the lack of MFi certification guarantee problems with charging or data transfer? Absolutely all cables from the review charged iPads and iPhones with iOS 9.2 without any problems without any reports of uncertified accessories. Absolutely all cables from the review provided a connection to a personal computer for data transfer without warning.

If you need a cable and you are ready to easily part with 800 UAH, then calmly buy an original cable Apple at any authorized store. You will get excellent quality (for a couple of years until it breaks again) without compromise.

If you want to buy a cable cheaper, then the general recommendations for buying are as follows (if you don’t clearly know which cable to buy):
- the MFi logo must be present on the package (Made for iPod, Made for iPhone, Made for iPad)
- make sure the brand is in the Apple database
- the cable should cost more than $5 (including deductions and quality components)

Cable Snowkids is the absolute leader in the review. It outperformed all the cables in the review, including the original cable from Apple. With this cable, you can charge any Apple device with maximum power output, and with the adapter, you can easily charge any device without significant loss. The quality of the cable materials is excellent. The length is 1 meter 30 centimeters, which is longer than most Lightning cables. There is a Velcro for cable management.

If you want to save some money, you can buy a cable Nillkin. It is not MFi certified. You will lose quite a bit in power output, but you will get a quality product. The cable is made of high quality materials, it is flat and does not get tangled. You can choose the color you like. There is a cable management strap.

If you want versatility, acceptable quality at the lowest price, then take the quality LG micro-USB cable from the previous review, it starts at $2, and the simplest non-certified Lightning adapter is under $1. There are complaints that such adapters are fragile and often break, keep this in mind.

If you need a long cable, then the situation is deplorable. More or less in the test, only the YourCharger cable coped, but the drawdown is significant. Considering its cost, it can be recommended.

Of course, it is worth mentioning the "penny" triple cable in a rag braid. This cable is amazing. I do not use it, but its performance is excellent (due to its short length). Through it, the test iPad was charged with the maximum current strength, as well as with high-quality MFi cables.

We should also mention the KALUOS cable. It is perfectly described by the proverb: "All that glitters is not gold." If I were offered to choose in appearance and tactile sensations, then I would certainly choose it. In fact, the cable turned out to be complete rubbish.

Lightning (English lightning - lightning) cable replaced the previous, 30-pin connector in 2012. Since then, most Apple wearables have been connected via an 8-pin USB Lightning cable.

What is the main difference? Lightning is an all-digital connector that does not carry an analog signal. Practical bonus: the cable has become symmetrical - it can be connected in either direction. It's comfortable.

Apple devices most often come with a native, original Lightning - USB cable marked.

Good cable - long and elastic

Textile or leather braid options are elastic enough not to burst. They are less tangled and are a good choice for longer cable options.
If you need a long cable, take a look at the 1.8 meter long nylon option - it is both flexible and durable material.

Multi-layer protection

When nylon braid is not enough, additional layers of PVC, EMI and Kevlar fiber come into play. Such materials consist of a cable from.

It is important that additional protection does not affect the thickness of the cable - cables that are too thick are more at risk of breaking in your pocket.

Like Apple, only Belkin

The cables from Apple are as close as possible in performance to the original Lightning cable from Apple, while offering a variety of colors and a more durable design.

It is important to purchase only real products, fakes cannot boast of MFi certification.

Connectors are important

Lightning cables often break at the base of a short tie. The transition to the cable should be flexible, and the USB and Lightning connectors themselves should be chosen stronger.

In September 2012, Apple announced the launch of iPhone 5 sales. It received a screen size increased from 3.5 to 4 inches and a new power connector. Lightning cable replaced the old 30-pin connector that existed in Apple mobile devices since 2003. This material will help you better understand its features and principles of operation.

Peculiarities

The Lightning cable for iPhone is significantly different from its predecessor. At the presentation of the new connector, Apple representatives named five main qualities that it has:

• fully digital transmission mechanism;
• adaptive connection interface that provides compatibility with USB 2.0 and 3.0 ports;
• increased service life due to increased mechanical strength;
• a reversible connector that allows you to automatically switch the internal power supply circuit, depending on which side it is inserted into the device;
• reduced by 80% overall dimensions.

The most user-friendly feature has become the reversibility of the cable or, to put it in simple words, bilateralism. There is no need to think about which side to insert it into the smartphone. In some cases, this is very convenient. You can connect your phone to the charger by touch on the first try, even in pitch darkness, without fear of damaging the cable itself or the charger socket.

What's inside Lightning?

The new connection interface caused not only a storm of various emotions among users, but also aroused a desire to understand how the Lightning cable works. Armed with testers and scalpels, enthusiasts and repair center specialists began to open the shell of new devices. Let's see what we managed to find out during these "surgical" experiments.

It turned out that there are as many as 16 pins in the 8-pin connector. Power is supplied to the extreme contact, the first for the top row and the last for the bottom. That is why no matter which side you plug the 8-pin Lightning cable into your iPhone, it starts charging.

The plastic thickening, located next to the plate with contacts, carefully opened by specialists, contains a miniature control board. She is responsible for determining the type of data being transmitted and, apparently, for the dynamic redistribution of contacts, depending on what role the Lightning cable currently plays.

Why not microUSB?

Back in 2009, under pressure from the European Union, the largest manufacturers of mobile electronics adopted the microUSB charger as a single standard. Apple was forced to release adapters that connect the old connector to the standard one for European countries. It would seem that since changing the connector in the iPhone 5, why not make it like everyone else, but the "apple company" went its own way.

However, if you delve deeper into this issue, it turns out that the point here is not the harmfulness of the overseas technology giant, but the limitations of the microUSB standard. Almost following the iPhone 5, the fourth-generation iPad entered the market - a tablet equipped with the same Lightning connector. The charging current consumed by it was 2 A, while microUSB could deliver no more than 0.9 A.

And finally, the standard European connector is not smart enough. It uses only five contacts instead of the eight provided by the Lightning. As a result, its abilities are limited only to data synchronization and charging. Any transmission of video in HD quality, which allows you to perform Lightning, is out of the question.

Apple released a new adapter to at least formally comply with the European standard, and limited itself to this. As time has shown, rich opportunities for working with peripherals turned out to be much more necessary for the user than unity.

Apple and Pirates

Let's go back a little, to the very chip that was discovered by experts in the process of "opening" the shell of the "Lightning". Subsequently, it turned out that its functions are not limited to the dynamic redistribution of contacts. Lightning USB cables turned out to be "smarter" than it seemed at first glance.

After the next software update, numerous products of the “eastern neighbors”, which by that time had filled the market, simply refused to work. Chinese USB Lightning iPhone cable did not perceive, issuing a message about the use of an uncertified product.

Of course, users experienced certain inconveniences in connection with this. But in general, this has had a positive effect on the iPhone accessories market, ridding it of the most frank and low-quality fakes.

Price or quality?

Of course, you can find a cable that will not refuse to charge your device and at the same time will cost several times cheaper than the original. Apple gives several reasons why these accessories should not be used. The main one is the possibility of damage to the device.

Given how durable Apple devices can be under normal use, no other reason is needed. Agree, it is difficult to find a point in buying a top-end smartphone and using accessories from unknown manufacturers with it in the future. If there is a need to save money, then it is easier to immediately buy a Chinese smartphone: at least it will be of high-quality factory production.

From time to time, stories about exploding or catching fire on smartphones appear in the news. Yes, and the story of Samsung with unsuccessful batteries in the Galaxy Note 7 series of smartphones has not yet been forgotten. Apple devices are in the news too; each such case is not left without attention and is carefully analyzed. Many incidents end up being blamed on non-standard charging device and cables.

Of course, the choice of accessories for your smartphone is a personal matter for everyone, as well as its operating conditions or service life. However, even the ancient Romans said: "Forewarned is forearmed." Knowing the consequences of using a low-quality cable, the user can make an informed choice.

What is the MFI program?

It is quite natural: with the number of i-devices in the hands of users, Apple alone is not able to produce the required amount of cable products and other useful accessories. Therefore, since 2005, the so-called MFi program - Made For iPhone, iPad, iPod - has been launched.

Manufacturers participating in it receive a license to manufacture and can themselves produce permitted products, in this case the cable. Lightning cables made under this brand cannot cost less than five dollars, if only because the manufacturer pays four of them to Apple for the right to manufacture it.

Of course, maintaining the quality of the brand, the materials used, and so on leads to the fact that the cost of such a device is quite high. But by purchasing such a wire, you at least guarantee yourself that your electronic device will not cause a fire and will work without wear and tear for a sufficiently long time.

As a result, all products of this type can be divided into three broad categories:

• original cables released by Apple itself;
• cables manufactured under license under the MFi program;
• products of "Chinese" production.

Original or not?

There is a whole section on the Apple support page dedicated to how to distinguish an original Lightning cable from a counterfeit one. Naturally, we will not give all the parameters here, but we will indicate only the most basic ones, by which it will be possible to accurately identify a fake.

Six easily distinguishable features of a certified product:

• the dimensions of the Apple connector are always standards and are 7.7x12 millimeters;
• the connector is a one-piece gray metal part;
• connector connectors, located on a white plastic substrate, have rounded ends;
• connections on the body of the USB contact are made in the form of a trapezoid;
• USB contacts have a golden hue;
• contact insulation is solid, flat, white;