Beats has the official Apple cable for CarPlay with USB-C iPhones

When Apple moved the iPhone to USB-C, it left behind more than just the Lightning port. New iPhone comes with a USB-C charging cable, but many cars still use USB-A ports for CarPlay.

Using CarPlay with a newer iPhone and an older USB port

That’s created a gap for drivers: no first-party cable to connect a USB-C iPhone to a USB-A car. Apple’s official workaround is a $29 USB-C to Lightning adapter.

Beats, an Apple brand, offers this USB-A to USB-C cable for half the price that is effectively the official solution for using CarPlay with USB-C iPhones.

Apple makes some uncommon accessories through its Beats brand

Apple bought Beats in 2014, acquiring the headphone business and Beats Music, the streaming service that became the foundation for Apple Music.

A decade later, Apple started using the Beats brand for more than just audio gear, beginning with Beats-branded iPhone cases.

A few months after that, Apple launched the first Beats-branded line of USB cables which includes the USB-A to USB-C cable.

Beats is the first-party solution

CarPlay fans have embraced the Beats cable as the Apple solution, favoring it over options from Belkin and other third-party accessory makers.

The Beats USB-A to USB-C cable comes in three braided color options (Bolt Black, Rapid Red, and Surge Stone) and is available in two lengths: a short 20 cm version and a standard 1.5 meter version.