UGREEN USB-C to Lightning PD Charging Cable 2022 REVIEW

Charging cable provides optimized power for your iPhone and AirPods Pro

With the recent European Union mandate, producers of mobile electronic devices must provide a USB-C charging port on all devices by the fall of 2024.  As more tech moves to the USB-C standard, I expect most global producers will transition away from non-USB-C options. 

Thus, it will likely cost more for Apple to maintain lightning charging in some regions while others move to USB-C.  Since my MacBook Pro, iPad Pro, and daughter’s iPad mini generation 5 already utilize USB-C, Apple will likely release USB-C-powered AirPods Pro generation 2, AirPods Max generation 2, and various iPhone models.

Until a single standard is adopted, we can either carry multiple charging bricks/cables, USB hubs, or choose a single style of charging brick with dongles/adapters.  The UGREEN USB-C to Lightning PD Fast Charging Cable arrived in a 3 3/16 inches wide by 6 3/4 inches tall by 11/16 inches thick retail package. 

The bold hunter green product name was displayed atop the clean white cover panel, while the Made for iPhone/iPad/iPod logo, and ink outline of the UGREEN cable were displayed on the remainder of the panel.  The rear panel provided a paragraph about the MFI moniker, listed the various devices that charge via lightning, added an SKU barcode, listed address/contact information (www.UGREEN.com), and manufacturing labels. The remaining panels were left unadorned. 

I lifted the top panel, slid the plastic-wrapped cable from the outer shell, and perused the included User Instruction manual (WEEE information, FCC statement, 2-year limited Warranty Information, and IC statement).  I removed the 2.3-ounce, 80-inches long, black-braided cable from the bag, and evaluated the product. 

The lightning cable end measured 1 3/16 inches long and had a 1/4 inches long lightning prong, a 9/16 inches long by 3/8 inches wide by 1/4 inches thick grey-colored metallic mid-segment, and a tapering 7/16 inches long black-colored rubberized neck segment.  The USB-C end had a 1/4 inches long prong, a 5/8 inches long by 7/16 inches wide by 1/4 inches thick metallic segment, and a 7/16 inches long black rubberized neck segment. 

Both of the metallic collars had UGREEN printed on one of the sides.  Lastly, the firm, round-braided mid-section did not easily bend, kink, or knot, and appeared to adequately protect the internal wiring.   

To test the strength of the cable, I tested each segment and end prong independently.  I gripped the USB-C prong with one hand, the metallic body with the other and I bent/tugged on the prong several times.  I plugged the USB-C cable into an appropriate hub and found the cable did fine with bending and pressing it into/out of the slot several times.

The sturdy metallic collar remained affixed to the body and the prong did not budge.  Next, I gripped the collar and the neck segments and tugged at the junction.  Like the previous test, the collar remained affixed and the cable remained fully intact.  I gripped the rubber neck segment and the braided cable and bent the section forward/backward twenty-five times, then side to side an additional twenty-five times.

I was pleased with the design and with the rigid structure.  To finalize the testing, I repeated the above steps with the Lightning end and found the same results as mentioned above.

To test the power output, I plugged a Klein Tools Multimeter into an Apple USB-C wall charger and the USB-C prong into the adapter.  I plugged the lightning end into my iPhone 13 Pro Max and found the multimeter displayed 8.84V/1.96A, while my phone displayed 8% at 10:35 PM.  By 10:51 the iPhone was at 30%, by 11:00 at 44%, by 11:08 at 54%, and by 11:23 it was at 71%. 

By 11:35 PM the iPhone entered into the Optimized Battery charging and mentioned that it would finish by 3:30 am.  I let the phone trickle beyond the 80% charge and found it fully charged when I awoke in the morning.  Neither the cable nor the power block felt hot to the touch and the phone charged at optimal rates.

I had no issue with data transfer and found the cable met my everyday carry needs/expectations.  The only thing that I felt was missing was a cable management strap/tie like the Kick Power USB-C to Lightning cable. Nevertheless, I found the USB-C to Lightning cable to be an amazing partner for my MOMAX Q Power Touch 10,000 mAh Battery.

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