Apple (sort of) sells a USB-A-to-C cable now, but there’s no fruit logo in sight

Summary

Beats expands cable range to USB-C, USB-A-to-C, and C-to-Lightning.
New durable braided cables cost $20 for one, $35 for a 2-pack (they’re available in 8-inch or 59-inch lengths).
Beats’ surge stone and nitro navy colored cables are striking yet understated.

Over the past few years, Apple has slowly turned Beats into a budget-conscious, but still somewhat pricey brand when it comes to its wireless earbuds, headphones, and other accessories (though its iPhone 16 cases are very expensive).

Two-Pack Beats USB-A-to-USB-C Woven Cable

Beats’ USB-A-to-USB-C Woven Cable is compatible with Apple and Android devices. It features USB 2.0 transfer speeds and 15W charging.

Now, the audio company that was once partially owned by rapper Dr. Dre is expanding into the cable space with an array of USB-C, USB-A-to-USB-C, and USB-C-to-Lighting cables that, somewhat surprisingly, cost pretty much the same as Apple’s cables.

2:46

Powerbeats Pro 2 in purple beside their case.

The PowerBeats Pro 2 are a spring must-have

The Powerbeats Pro 2 offer Active Noise Cancellation and a whopping 45-hour battery life, perfect for your warm weather adventures.

I’m a sucker for a colored, fabric-covered cable

Surge stone is by far the coolest-looking option

Beats

Beats says that its new cables come in bolt black, surge stone, nitro navy, and rapid red. All of the new colors are striking, but I like surge stone and nitro navy the best (they’re striking, but still understated). The new durable braided cables cost $20 for one and $35 for a pack of two and are available in 8-inch (20cm) lengths or 5ft (1.5m) versions. The longer 59-inch cables only come in two-packs. All the new cords are available starting April 17th in Apple’s and Beats’ online store.

The USB-C-to-USB-C cable supports faster charging up to 60W and USB 2.0, while the USB-A-to-USB-C cable can hit 15W and features USB-C. Finally, the USB-C-to-Lightning cable doesn’t list its wattage, but Apple says it supports charging, syncing, and CarPlay.

Beats

While the 8-inch cable is pretty much in line with Apple’s 60W $20 USB-C charging cord, the tech giant hasn’t sold a USB-A-to-USB-C cable until now (the Mophie option the tech giant offers costs $20). On the other hand, Apple’s USB-C-to-Lighting cable costs $20.

Below are all of the new cables and their colors:

USB-C to USB-C 5ft (1.5m) in bolt black, surge stone, nitro navy, and rapid red.
USB-A to USB-C 5ft (1.5m) in bolt black, surge stone, and rapid red.
USB-C to Lightning 5ft (1.5m) in bolt black, surge stone, and rapid red.
USB-C to USB-C 2-pack, 5ft (1.5m) in bolt black.
USB-A to USB-C 2-pack, 5ft (1.5m) in bolt black.
USB-C to USB-C 8-inches (20cm) in bolt black.
USB-A to USB-C 8-inches (20cm) in bolt black.
USB-C to Lightning 8-inches (20cm) in bolt black.

It’s odd that after successfully transitioning all of its modern devices to USB-C over the past decade, Apple’s Beats brand is finally releasing an official USB-A-to-C cable. The company still hasn’t dropped an Apple-branded option and instead relied on third-party cables from companies like Nimble and its own USB-C-to-USB-A dongle.

Pocket-lint / Beats

Now, that’s changed with the introduction of Beats’ new USB-A-to-USB-C cable. Overall, these look like solid, somewhat reasonably priced charging cables for smartphones and other accessories. I’m also a sucker for a great-looking and feeling braided cable because they’re more durable and last longer, so I can see myself picking up a surge stone USB-C-to-USB-C cable at some point.