It's faster than network data transfer. I don't know exactly how fast can WiFi go, but most if the time it can't even exceed 1Gbps. However, USB-C 4 V2 can reach 80 Gbps, and isn't all that affected by electromagnetic interference.

For transfering a few photos, you won't notice a difference. But if you need to back up a 256 GB phone, the difference in speed is actually big.

[–] flashgnash@lemm.ee 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I guess so, I don't see much reason why I'd need to back up my whole phone in this day and age though, photos documents and notes are all backed up through syncthing/Google photos and that runs in the background constantly so not like I'm waiting

Contacts, installed apps and I believe some settings are backed up to my Google account and will follow me without even thinking about it

I guess game save data but personally I don't play games on my phone anymore anyway so that's not a big deal for me

Could quite happily wipe my phone tomorrow and be back up and running with all my data within 30 mins max and have never needed to plug it in

[–] black0ut@pawb.social 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Most people do what you say, but there are places where you don't have a stable internet connection, or people who like to keep their storage offline.

I don't mean to say that there are no alternatives to a fast cable, or that most people should use it. But it's a feature that comes with the cable, and there shouldn't be someone trying to cap it just for profit.

The controllers for the communication protocol probably cost something like 8 cents, Apple shouldn't screw their customers over that little cost. Even with a feature most people won't use, because it's nice knowing that you have the possibility to use it if you need to.

[–] flashgnash@lemm.ee 1 points 1 year ago

Oh yeah I'm not trying to argue they are justified in doing this in the slightest don't get me wrong apple sucks for decisions like this