Back in 2015, Apple pioneered USB-C with the introduction of the 12-inch MacBook, which eventually pushed the industry to adopt this technology and started a world of USB-C accessories. As you may know, USB-C is now the standard as the most versatile port that lets you charge, transfer data, and output video/audio. USB-C made its way to the iPad starting in 2018, and it finally made its way to the AirPods and iPhone lineup in 2023 with the AirPods Pro 2 and iPhone 15 series. If you ever own an iPhone, iPad, or AirPods with a Lightning port, you know how frustrating and fragmented the charging situation is when you have other Apple products with USB-C, but with the iPhone and AirPods (along with other Apple’s accessories such as the Magic Accessories) finally adopting USB-C, the number of cables required to charge all of your devices is reduced from three to two – an Apple Watch Magnetic Charging Cable for your Apple Watch (or compatible AirPods models that we’ll discuss later) and a USB-C cable to charge your other Apple devices with USB-C such as a MacBook or iPhone 16.
The Apple Watch does not have a USB-C port, but we’ll let that slide because the Apple Watch is made to be waterproof and thus uses inductive charging as its only charging solution. Although Apple’s charging ecosystem is more streamlined than ever, in the words of Steve Jobs, wouldn’t it be great to have just one cable to charge all of your devices, including your Apple Watch? Well, that dream now becomes a reality as the folks at Nomad introduced a cable as the only one you’ll ever need. Enter the Universal Cable for Apple Watch. At first glance, it looks like a hybrid of a typical USB-C cable and an Apple Watch charging puck embedded in that cable, and it is. Both ends are USB-C, so you can connect between any pair of USB-C devices like you normally would with a traditional USB-C cable. But the added bonus is that you can charge your Apple Watch or AirPods simultaneously while using the cable to:
- Charge your AirPods, iPhone, iPad, or MacBook via a power adapter,
- Charge your AirPods, iPhone, iPad via a MacBook,
- Charge your AirPods, iPhone via an iPad, or
- Charge your AirPods via an iPhone
The possibilities are endless as this cable works not only between Apple devices, but you can also charge other USB-C devices such as an Android smartphone and digital cameras.
As with any Nomad’s accessories, this cable is made with the highest-quality materials for maximum durability for day-to-day use with a double-braided Kevlar outer weave and reinforced, electroplated metal connectors. The integrated silicone cable tie lets you keep the cable neat and tidy at home or on a commute. This cable supports USB 2.0 data transfer speeds as well as power delivery up to 100W, perfect for charging the 16-inch MacBook Pro. The integrated Apple Watch charger supports the following devices:
- AirPods 4 (Active Noise Cancelation) and AirPods Pro 2 (including both Lightning and USB-C charging cases)
- All Apple Watch models, fast charging is also supported for Apple Watch Series 7 or later and all Apple Watch Ultra models.
It’s worth noting that for optimized multi-device charging, you’ll need to supply a power adapter of at least 20W.
I believe that this cable is designed for travelers or family vacations in mind. Just think about it, I love travel to so many places around the world. One of the biggest challenges when it comes to planning trips is packing, and you know that you should pack efficiently, especially when it comes to minimizing your cable management. Chances are that you may need to bring a travel adapter, especially if you’re traveling to a different continent. On top of that, you would have to consider your whole family who you’re traveling with, and since they’ll all likely need to charge their devices and Apple Watches overnight, the number of factors such as USB-C ports, power adapters, and travel adapters could be scarcer, especially when they’re all sharing the same hotel room. This cable will definitely solve this issue as it takes up just one USB-C port, so with multiple members of the family, it really adds up. Therefore, the Universal Cable for Apple Watch from Nomad is the most ideal solution to streamline your charging ecosystem by charing both your Apple Watch and USB-C device simultaneously.
The Universal Cable for Apple Watch from Nomad is available to order for $100, and it qualifies for free shipping. Even though this cable may be on the pricier side, I still believe it’s still worth it as you’re buying the overall quality and integration that this cable brings. I believe this is a great investment for your traveling kit or even your office. Will you be purchasing one? Let us know in the comments below.
