REVIEW – Would you rather have four separate USB cables or just one that can perform four different functions? If you answered one, then meet the Tegic Steelix Pro one-for-all cable that’s designed to be used with your USB-C and Lightning gadgets. Let’s check it out.
What is it?
The Tegic Steelix Pro USB cable is a multi-function cable that provides a max 100W power delivery, 480 Mbps data transfer, and 4-in-1 fast charging for USB-C and Lightning devices all in one cable.
What’s in the box?
- Steelix Pro USB cable
Design and features
The Tegic Steelix Pro USB cable features a flat 1.5m long tangle-free cable with a woven nylon cover and zinc alloy ends.
Although it might look like an ordinary USB cable, the Steelix is more than meets the eye. First of all, it has a robust industrial design that not only looks like something from a Cyberpunk comic, but it actually feels as strong as it looks.
On one end is a USB-A connector and on the other end is a Lightning connector for Apple devices. But wait, there’s more…
Pull up on the connector’s end and there’s a USB-C connector under it. The unused connector swivels out of the way when it’s not in use so it shouldn’t block any ports on other devices like laptops.
The same goes for the opposite end of the Steelix Pro that has the Lightning connector.
When you pull up on the Lightning connector, another USB-C connector is revealed.
The only connector missing is a micro USB connector. I know that they are being phased out, but it’s surprising how many new devices still use them. It would be great if the Steelix shipped with another end that you could use if desired.
The Tegic Steelix Pro provides 4 different ways to connect iOS, Android, tablets, and laptops for charging and/or data transfer. See below.
You can also connect two devices like two phones to recharge one of them. I tried this with my iPhone 12 Pro Max and a Huawei P30 Pro and it turned the Huawei P30 Pro into a backup battery that charged the iPhone. According to Tegic, the cable will charge a phone up to 30% in 10 minutes using this method of battery “sharing”.
What I like
- Ability to use it with USB-C and Lightning devices
- Fast charging cable
- Strong cable
- Flat no-tangle design
What I’d change
- Kind of expensive at $34 through the Tegic site
- Include a micro USB option too
Final thoughts
This is the most robust and useful USB cable that I’ve tested so far. I tested the Tegic Steelix Pro 4-in-1 USB cable with my iPhone 12 Pro Max, Airpods, my MacBook, iPad Pro, and other devices and found that it charged them all quickly. If it’s possible to have a favorite USB cable, I would have to say that the Tegic Steelix Pro is mine.
Price: $34
Where to buy: Tegic and Kickstarter ($25)
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Tegic.
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So, it’s ‘Compatible with XXXX (Apple Devices)’, but is it specifically MFi certified? I have found there is a difference, at times.
Thanks…
CW, it is NOT MFi certified.
$10 shipping is a bit much. Would have ordered if the final price wasn’t $44