More expensive than Apple’s official Lightning to USB Cable, Ventev’s new ChargeSync Apple Lightning Cable ($25) similarly offers a USB plug on one side and a Lightning connector on the other, but comes in seven different colors. The flat cabling between the plugs is 3.3 feet long, and Ventev’s web site promises “2.1-Amp” compatibility, oddly short of the 2.4-Amp speeds supported by Retina iPads. Thankfully, this turned out to be a mistake on the company’s website, and the charging capability is confirmed at the higher speed.
It’s often difficult to recommend third-party Lightning cables that sell at a premium over Apple’s already steep $19 asking price.
After all, any properly-functioning, officially-licensed cable will do the same thing. The big advantage to ChargeSync is cosmetic: we really like the way the flat cabling looks and feels, with its smooth rubber surface. It’s roughly an inch longer than Apple’s cable, so we consider that pretty much a draw, and the housing around Ventev’s Lightning plug is slightly larger, meaning case compatibility will be a bit more limited.
The official one-meter cable from Apple earned a flat B rating, which clearly brings Ventev’s ChargeSync to a B-. It’s fully functional, and looks nice, but you’re paying for looks, and that’s it. If you value the design or the color options, it’s a good choice, otherwise, you’ll be equally well-served with something less expensive.
Our Rating
Company and Price
Company: Ventev
Website: www.ventev.com
Model: ChargeSync
Price: $25
Compatible: iPad (4th-Gen), iPad mini, iPhone 5, iPod nano 7G, iPod touch 5G
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