by Silver Music
Since the iPhone 15, Apple has definitively closed the chapter on the Lightning connector. This change, imposed in Europe by regulation aimed at harmonizing charging connectors, has reshuffled the deck for all wired audio accessories. If you own a recent iPhone and are looking for reliable wired earphones, here's everything you need to know before buying.
For more than a decade, Apple defended its proprietary Lightning connector, launched in 2012. But European regulatory pressure, which mandates a universal charging connector to reduce electronic waste, pushed the company to align with the standard already adopted across the Android industry since 2015-2016.
As a result: since the iPhone 15, all new models (iPhone 15, 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max, 16, 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max, and later generations) are equipped with a USB-C port. This port no longer just charges the device — it also allows data to transfer at high speed and, most relevant here, carries a digital audio signal directly to wired earphones.
This is good news for users: since USB-C is an open standard, the range of compatible wired earphones has expanded considerably compared to the Lightning era, when only MFi (Made for iPhone) certified accessories worked.
Here's the clear list of models equipped with a USB-C port, and therefore compatible with USB-C wired earphones like NovaChrome:
Conversely, the iPhone 14 and all earlier generations (iPhone 13, 12, 11, X, SE...) have a Lightning port and cannot directly accept USB-C earphones. Lightning to USB-C adapters exist, but their quality and reliability vary widely — in that case, it's better to choose earphones designed specifically for Lightning, or go through the headphone jack via an official adapter.
Not necessarily. USB-C is a physical standard, but not all USB-C devices handle digital audio the same way. The good news: on iPhone 15 and 16, Apple implemented full, native USB-C audio support, with no proprietary certification equivalent to the old MFi system. In practice, this means a quality generic USB-C earphone, like NovaChrome, works directly, with no pairing and no app to install.
The real point of caution is the quality of the DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter) built into the earphones' connector. A low-quality DAC can produce flat sound or lower volume. It's a criterion worth checking before buying, just as much as comfort or looks.
Switching to USB-C wired earphones on iPhone offers several concrete advantages over Bluetooth:
No latency. The digital audio signal travels directly through the cable, without the micro-delays inherent to Bluetooth — a real plus for video calls or watching content.
No battery to manage. Unlike wireless earphones, there's no battery to monitor and no case to recharge. Your earphones are always ready.
Consistent audio quality. Bluetooth compresses the audio signal to transmit it wirelessly; wired transmits an uncompressed signal, for more faithful sound.
Ease of use. No pairing, no app, no firmware update. Plug in, and listen.
Can I use my USB-C earphones while charging my iPhone? No, on most USB-C iPhones, the single port is used either for charging or for wired audio, not both at once (except via a specific multiport adapter).
Does the microphone work for calls and Siri? Yes, on quality USB-C earphones like NovaChrome, the built-in microphone and remote (volume, playback, calls) work natively with iOS.
Can I use these earphones on an iPad or a Mac? Yes: every iPad with USB-C (iPad Pro, iPad Air, iPad mini 6th generation and later, iPad 10th generation and later) and every MacBook since 2016 has a compatible USB-C port.
Three main criteria: the quality of the built-in microphone (essential if you take calls), everyday comfort, and cable durability — a cable that tangles easily quickly becomes annoying to use.
That's exactly what NovaChrome was designed around: a clear built-in microphone for your calls, a mirror chrome finish that stands out from ordinary plastic, and a tangle-resistant silicone cable built for daily use. Natively compatible with the iPhone 15, 15 Pro, and all 16 models, NovaChrome plugs in directly, with no adapter and no app.
Discover NovaChrome earphones →
If your iPhone does not detect the accessory despite having a compatible USB-C port, follow our USB-C earphones troubleshooting guide before assuming a hardware fault.