The right audio adapter for every device
Three cable families, five products. Every wired audio connection you will encounter — from aircraft armrest to car stereo to laptop jack — covered in one collection.
The right audio adapter for every device
USB-C, Lightning, or 3.5mm — which adapter or cable you need depends entirely on the port your phone has and the device you are connecting it to. Here is the complete map.
- iPhone 15 and later (USB-C): USB-C to 3.5mm adapter (dongle) or USB-C to 3.5mm cable. Both convert the iPhone's digital USB-C output to analogue 3.5mm audio.
- iPhone 7 to iPhone 14 (Lightning): Lightning to 3.5mm adapter (dongle) or Lightning to 3.5mm cable. Both work with any 3.5mm headphone, car stereo, or speaker.
- Laptop, tablet, or older phone with a 3.5mm port: 3.5mm to 3.5mm aux cable. Universal wired connection for car stereos, aircraft, and any 3.5mm speaker.
- All Gibutech audio cables use gold-plated connectors and braided nylon jackets for consistent signal quality and long-term durability.
In 2016, Apple removed the 3.5mm headphone jack from the iPhone. Manufacturers of Android phones followed. Today, most phones use either USB-C or Lightning for audio output — yet most cars, aircraft, speakers and headphones still use 3.5mm. An audio adapter closes that gap. Getting the right one is a matter of knowing which port your phone has and what you are connecting it to.
Which audio adapter or cable does my device need?
Exhibit 1 — Find your connection by device and scenario| Your phone | Connecting to | You need |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 15, 15 Pro, 16 series | 3.5mm headphones | USB-C to 3.5mm adapter (dongle) |
| iPhone 15, 15 Pro, 16 series | Car stereo aux port | USB-C to 3.5mm cable |
| iPhone 14 and earlier (7–14) | 3.5mm headphones | Lightning to 3.5mm adapter (dongle) |
| iPhone 14 and earlier (7–14) | Car stereo aux port | Lightning to 3.5mm cable |
| Android (USB-C) | 3.5mm headphones or speaker | USB-C to 3.5mm adapter or cable |
| Laptop / tablet with 3.5mm port | Car stereo or speaker | 3.5mm to 3.5mm aux cable |
| Any phone | Aircraft entertainment system | Correct adapter for phone port + 3.5mm headphones |
Look at the bottom of your iPhone. A single oval port with rounded edges = USB-C (iPhone 15 and later). A slightly wider port with a flat bottom and curved sides = Lightning (iPhone 7 through iPhone 14).
Which USB-C to 3.5mm adapters and cables does Gibutech offer?
Compact dongle · plug into USB-C port · female 3.5mm socket · for iPhone 15+, Android · DAC chip for clean audio conversion
View product →
USB-C to male 3.5mm · braided nylon · gold-plated connector · for car stereos and speakers · 1 metre
View product →A USB-C port outputs digital audio. Converting that to analogue for a 3.5mm headphone requires a DAC (Digital-to-Analogue Converter) chip inside the adapter. A quality DAC chip minimises signal noise and preserves the full audio frequency range. The Gibutech USB-C to 3.5mm adapter includes a DAC chip that reduces transmission losses — the difference between clear, full-range audio and thin, noisy output you might get from an unbranded alternative.
Which Lightning to 3.5mm adapters and cables does Gibutech offer?
Compact dongle · Lightning plug · female 3.5mm socket · for iPhone 7–14 · pocketable size for daily carry
View product →
Lightning to male 3.5mm · braided nylon · gold-plated 3.5mm connector · for car stereos · 1 metre
View product →When do I need a 3.5mm to 3.5mm aux cable?
If your phone, laptop or tablet has a 3.5mm headphone jack, you can connect directly to any 3.5mm input without an adapter. The 3.5mm to 3.5mm aux cable is the universal connection for three scenarios:
- Car stereo: from your phone's 3.5mm jack to the car's aux-in port. Zero Bluetooth pairing, zero latency.
- Aircraft: from any 3.5mm headphones to the armrest entertainment jack. The only audio option for in-flight entertainment screens.
- Speakers and monitors: from laptop or tablet to any 3.5mm speaker or studio monitor for wired playback with no Bluetooth compression.
Gibutech 3.5mm to 3.5mm braided aux cable: gold-plated TRS connectors · aluminium alloy housing · braided nylon jacket · 1 metre · universal audio connection for cars, aircraft and speakers.
One adapter. Every wired audio connection solved.
The right audio adapter is a tiny, permanent solution to a recurring problem. Carry the correct adapter for your phone port and you will never miss wired audio on a flight, in a car, or through a speaker you cannot pair via Bluetooth. The Gibutech range covers every combination — USB-C, Lightning, and 3.5mm — with gold-plated connectors and braided construction built to last.
Frequently asked questions
What audio adapter do I need for iPhone 15?
A USB-C to 3.5mm adapter (dongle) for headphones, or a USB-C to 3.5mm cable for car stereos. The Gibutech USB-C to 3.5mm adapter → includes a DAC chip for clean analogue audio conversion from the iPhone 15's digital USB-C output.
What audio adapter do I need for iPhone 14 or earlier?
A Lightning to 3.5mm adapter (dongle) for headphones, or a Lightning to 3.5mm cable for car stereos. The Gibutech Lightning to 3.5mm adapter → works with iPhone 7 through iPhone 14.
Do I need an audio adapter for aircraft?
All aircraft entertainment systems use 3.5mm. If your phone has a 3.5mm port, use a 3.5mm aux cable →. If you have an iPhone 15+, add a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter. iPhone 14 and earlier need a Lightning to 3.5mm adapter.
Does a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter work with Android phones?
Yes. USB-C is the standard port on Android phones from 2019 onwards. The Gibutech USB-C to 3.5mm adapter → works with any USB-C Android phone, including Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, and OnePlus.
- Apple Inc. "iPhone 15 technical specifications." Apple Support, 2023. USB-C replaces Lightning on iPhone 15 and later. Lightning remains on iPhone 14 and earlier.
- IEC 60603-11. "Connectors for audio — 3.5mm jack specifications." IEC, 2006. TRS (3-pole) for stereo audio; TRRS (4-pole) for audio + microphone.
- Product specifications sourced from Gibutech product pages at gibutech.co.uk as of June 2026.