We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-23 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
If you want modern USB-C connectivity that covers the newest iPhone 15, 16 and 17 families along with Android phones, iPads and laptops, choose FIYUM Earphones USB C; if you need a Lightning plug for an older iPhone 14, 13, 12 or earlier, choose Bioonis Lightning Ear Buds. The split isn't about sound quality — both use a DAC chip — it's about one thing: which port is on the phone in your pocket.
• FIYUM's biggest strength: a USB-C connector with MFi certification, an aluminum alloy plug and a built-in DAC, so it works across modern iPhones, Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel and iPad Pro with one cable.
• FIYUM's biggest trade-off: it will not fit any Lightning iPhone — a 14 or older simply has the wrong port.
• Bioonis's biggest strength: native Lightning compatibility across the entire older iPhone range, from the iPhone 5 up through the 14 Pro Max, plus iPad and iPod touch models with a Lightning port.
• Bioonis's biggest trade-off: it is locked to Lightning, so it is useless on an iPhone 15 or newer and on any USB-C Android phone.
• FIYUM is for you if you own a newer iPhone, an Android phone, or you switch between several USB-C devices.
• Bioonis is for you if you're holding an iPhone 14 or older and want a plug-and-play wired pair with silicone tips in three sizes.
FIYUM built this around the USB-C standard, and that's the whole story. The connector is aluminum alloy, which is a small detail that matters more than it sounds — that's the part that takes the abuse every time you plug in, and metal resists the corrosion and bending that eventually kills cheap plastic plugs. The cable is TPE with a twist-resistant build, so it's meant to survive being stuffed into a bag or wrapped around a phone without turning into a knot.
Who should buy it: anyone on an iPhone 15, 16 or 17, or on a Samsung Galaxy S24/S23, Pixel or iPad Pro. It's also the smarter pick if you juggle devices, because one pair covers your phone, your tablet and a USB-C laptop. The MFi certification is the reassurance here — it means the plug is built to Apple's own spec for that connector, not a generic clone.
Who should skip it: if your phone still has a Lightning port, this is the wrong product entirely. No adapter cleverness changes that. Also skip it if you specifically need active noise cancellation — this is isolation only. And if you want multiple ear tip sizes to dial in the fit, note that the sheet lists rounded tips but doesn't specify a size range, so the Bioonis approach may suit you better.
Bioonis Lightning Ear Buds: Who It's For
Bioonis went the opposite direction and made a pair that only speaks Lightning — and does it thoroughly. The compatibility list runs from the iPhone 5 all the way through the 14 Pro Max, covering the SE line, the XS, XR, X, 8, 7 and 6 families, plus iPad Pro, mini and Air models and the iPod touch 7, 6 and 5. If you have a drawer full of older Apple gear, this one cable covers essentially all of it.
The audio side uses a Hi-Res DAC chip, aimed at rich bass, clear mids and crisp highs. There's a high-sensitivity microphone for calls, an in-line remote for play/pause, volume, answering calls and triggering Siri, and a reinforced tangle-free cable. The fit is where Bioonis clearly put extra thought: an ergonomic in-ear shape with in-ear noise isolation and three sizes of soft silicone ear tips (S/M/L). That's a real advantage for people whose ears never quite agree with one-size tips.
Who should buy it: iPhone 14, 13, 12, 11, X, 8, 7 or 6 owners. Also anyone who values being able to swap tips until the seal is right, and anyone who wants Siri on a physical button rather than reaching for the phone.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for iPhone 15, 16 or 17 → FIYUM Earphones USB C. USB-C is the port on those phones.
• Best for iPhone 14 and older → Bioonis Lightning Ear Buds. Native Lightning, no adapter, no fuss.
• Best for mixed-device households → FIYUM. One pair for iPhone, Galaxy, Pixel, iPad Pro and USB-C laptops.
• Best for fit customization → Bioonis. Three silicone tip sizes (S/M/L) versus the rounded-tip in-ear design on the FIYUM.
• Best for cable durability → FIYUM. TPE twist-resistant cable plus an aluminum alloy connector built for repeated plugging.
• Best for hands-free voice control → Bioonis. The in-line remote includes Siri activation.
• Best for Apple-only users with older hardware → Bioonis. Its compatibility list is the longest of the two for legacy Apple devices.
• Best for future-proofing → FIYUM. USB-C is where phones and laptops have gone; Lightning is a legacy standard.
If I were buying one pair today, I'd take the FIYUM Earphones USB C. In my opinion, USB-C is the connector that keeps working for you as you upgrade phones, and the MFi certification plus aluminum alloy plug and DAC chip make it the safer long-term buy. The one case where I'd flip: you're on an iPhone 14 or older and have no plans to change — then the Bioonis Lightning Ear Buds win outright, and the three tip sizes are a genuine bonus. Match the plug to your phone and you can't really go wrong either way.
how to use headphones for iphone
Plug the connector into the phone's port — USB-C on the FIYUM if you're on an iPhone 15 or newer, Lightning on the Bioonis if you're on an iPhone 14 or older. There's no pairing step with either pair; they're wired, so the phone recognizes them instantly. Use the in-line remote for volume, playback and calls.
how to use wired headphones for iphone 15
The iPhone 15 moved to USB-C, so you need a USB-C plug like the FIYUM Earphones USB C. Connect it directly to the charging port and audio routes through the cable automatically. A Lightning pair such as the Bioonis will not fit an iPhone 15 without a separate adapter.
how to use wired headphones for iphone 16
Same answer as the 15 — the iPhone 16 family uses USB-C, so the FIYUM pairs straight in with no adapter. Its built-in DAC handles the digital-to-analog conversion, and the remote controls volume and playback. The Bioonis Lightning plug is not compatible.
how to use wired headphones for iphone
Check your port first. Lightning iPhone (14 and earlier) → Bioonis Lightning Ear Buds. USB-C iPhone (15 and newer) → FIYUM Earphones USB C. Both include a microphone and in-line controls, so calls and music work the moment you plug in. Current pricing on each is worth checking on Amazon before you commit.
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See also: VIFIGEN Ear Buds vs AILZPXX USB C, Hendari Open Ear vs IKG Ear Buds, Wuopzf USB C vs Zollexa Over-Ear Headphones