prehistoric_knight OP t1_itle5ry wrote on October 24, 2022 at 2:40 PM

Finally standardizing charging ports.

Hoping apple decides not to skip the charging port (to spite this) all together and just do wireless charging.

Dantzig t1_itmazia wrote on October 24, 2022 at 6:17 PM

I have had a lot of lightning cables by now. They just suck by design and always breaks. My usb-c cables never had problems

ChefArtorias t1_itmi4gd wrote on October 24, 2022 at 7:02 PM

You'll still need different cords, unfortunately. My Switch needs it's own cord which only works for the Switch. Phone says it should only take Samsung chargers but can use the one from my Steam Deck, but that one won't charge my headphones. It's annoying. They're all USB-C but are anything but interchangable.

HerbHurtHoover t1_itmnf8e wrote on October 24, 2022 at 7:36 PM

.... uh..... what?

ChefArtorias t1_itmolr6 wrote on October 24, 2022 at 7:44 PM

All of my devices that use USB C charging need different chargers even though they have the same port. It's infuriating.

HerbHurtHoover t1_itmqmjv wrote on October 24, 2022 at 7:57 PM

Uh.... sound like you have one shitty cable that doesn't meet power requirements for some of your devices. I have never ever had to use different usb c cable for different devices.

ChefArtorias t1_itmwo88 wrote on October 24, 2022 at 8:35 PM

Sometimes I know that is the case, like I wouldn't expect a cheap charger to power the switch/deck very quickly, especially not while playing. The powerful chargers not working on less powerful devices is what confuses me. Maybe there's a system in place to prevent it like more wattage from the charger would be dangerous to the small device. Steam charger is brand new and won't charge my headphones which baffles me but I am pretty ignorant about the details of how electricity works.

VIKTORVAV99 t1_itmxpl5 wrote on October 24, 2022 at 8:42 PM

It has nothing to do with how electricity works and everything to do with the negotiation between the charger, cord and device. They all contain microchips that contains the supported wattage and amperage and they will select the highest supported wattage and amperage by all parts of the chain.

ChefArtorias t1_itn6524 wrote on October 24, 2022 at 9:38 PM

While I get what you're saying both of those are different aspects of electricity which the microchips are there to regulate. I do know some about electric systems from doing construction but not really details of electronics.

happyscrappy t1_itqyatl wrote on October 25, 2022 at 5:33 PM

A charger capable of 5A and 20V is the "most powerful" charger. But some devices don't work at 20V.

A charger must be able to supply 5V, and may be able to supply 9V, 15V or 20V. It might supply all 4, or some subset. All devices must support 5V and may support other voltages. So if someone makes a charger that does 5V and 20V and then you plug in a device that wants either 5V or 9V then they will agree on 5V. Then that means you can't charge faster than 15W.

According to the spec it should still charge, just charge slowly. But some companies interpret the spec rather liberally or just don't comply. And then it may not charge at all.

Honestly, Valve seems to do a rather poor job with USB C (USB-PD) really support. So their charger is probably poor at it. A good quality USB C charger may support both your headphones and Steam deck. In case you care, like if you wanted to take only one charger on a trip. Better test it first before you leave on the trip of course!

happyscrappy t1_itqwzvi wrote on October 25, 2022 at 5:25 PM

The other poster is correct.

With USB C (technically USB-PD) a charger can support anywhere from 15W to 100W (later specs got to 240W, I will ignore these as likely neither you nor he have used any of the later spec chargers or cables).

Additionally a cable can support up to 3A or up to 5A. Given how the spec works, a 3A cable is typically only good for 60W, while a 50A one can go to 100W. Although it is a bit more complicated than that.

A charger must support 5V output. It can support 9V output, 15V output or 20V output additionally but is not required to.

So you can have a cable (limited to 3A) or a charger (limited to something less than 20V, often just 5V) which does not charge some devices well. It can even not charge them at all. And that's before we get to devices that are out of spec. Nintendo's Switch is notoriously out of spec. And Sony's Dualsense controller is also out of spec.

In theory if you have a charger which does all 5 voltages (5,9,15,20) and a cable that does up to 5 amps then it should charge any device as fast as it can be charged. This has been my experience with everything except the Nintendo Switch. And it could be the case with the Sony Dualsense too, although it hasn't been a problem for me.

A 3A cable is not a "shitty" cable, it's just a cable meant for less demanding devices. I typically prefer them because they are cheaper and coil easier (especially good for traveling). I even use them on some of the more demanding devices at times because if you are charging overnight then charging a bit slower isn't an issue, I'm asleep anyway.

Same with chargers, while I have 100W chargers capable of all 4 voltages and 5A they are larger and more expensive so I have a lot more of the less capable chargers because they are smaller and cheaper. The issue of trying to use more demanding devices on less capable chargers is going to be more and more commonplace on USB-C as devices no longer come with chargers and people just use whatever they have.

And since you're the anti-Lightning guy, note that Lightning doesn't seem to go past 3A regardless even a "cheap C cable" is as capable as a Lightning cable in terms of charge speed. And the 5A cables are more capable than any Lightning cable.

Lightning still has the voltage selection issues, if you have a 5V only charger then you're not going to go past 15W no matter what. Often you have a charger that doesn't go past 9V, but few would notice the charge speed difference between 27W and 30W. Both of these issues are the same on USB-C.

If you don't have USB-C devices over 30W (i.e. phones) then you probably wouldn't see these issues with USB-C (or Lightning for that matter).

People will have to get used to these issues and surely will. It's a pretty good spec it should work well for most people most of the time. And from a power delivery perspective it should never work worse than Lightning would in the same situation.

HerbHurtHoover t1_itrld7r wrote on October 25, 2022 at 8:00 PM

This quite the weird take.

Tell me, do you think the light ing cable wouldn't have this problem if it was actually a standard and not a patent locking tool?

happyscrappy t1_itrom8u wrote on October 25, 2022 at 8:21 PM

Which particular problem?

Do you mean the voltage issue? No, Lightning has that problem for the same reason USB-C does. Because both use USB-PD and USB-PD was specified in the way it was to keep the costs of chargers down. If a phone maker had to include a 100W 4-voltage agile power supply with their phone it would lead to a lot more cost and waste of materials.

I don't get how this is a "take". I explained how USB-PD (USB-C) produces these problems. And then I explained that Lightning never performs better than USB-C does. USB-C, even with its limitations, is better than Lightning overall and never worse in any case.

HerbHurtHoover t1_itrvgmg wrote on October 25, 2022 at 9:04 PM

Damn, man. You have no idea what you are saying, do you?

happyscrappy t1_its0tlr wrote on October 25, 2022 at 9:40 PM

Is this your normal thing? To pretend others who clearly know this stuff well don't know what they are doing?

If you have some questions you want answered I can help. If you would prefer to insult others to divert from something you don't understand then you can just do that by your lonesome.

HerbHurtHoover t1_its1lec wrote on October 25, 2022 at 9:45 PM

No, you just think quoting a spec sheet makes your argument valid..

happyscrappy t1_its1pyl wrote on October 25, 2022 at 9:46 PM

Which part of my argument do you think is invalid? Do you have a question you want answered?

Or are you just hurling insults to divert from what you don't understand?

HerbHurtHoover t1_itse039 wrote on October 25, 2022 at 11:17 PM

I already did that part...... fucking reddit man. You are just dragging the conversation along for no reason. Not everything has to he a constant back and forth.

happyscrappy t1_itsobe6 wrote on October 26, 2022 at 12:35 AM

It takes two people to make a back and forth. If you don't like a back and forth then don't participate. You can't go blaming someone else for dragging a conversation on when you are 50% of the continuation.

You expressed something about a problem with Lightning. And asked me a question about it. But you refused to express what this problem is.

You complained my argument is not valid just because I listed some specs. But you refuse to say which part isn't valid.

I can't decide which is more ridiculous. Complaining about my argument not being valid but refusing to indicate how, asking me a question and then refusing to specific what the question actually referred to or extending a discussion and then complaining about the discussion being extended.

HerbHurtHoover t1_itsp52g wrote on October 26, 2022 at 12:41 AM

Lmao.

I didn't say its invalid because you quoted specs. I already said why its invalid, but you have to keep pretending I didn't to keep this going.

You are just straight up lying at this point.

Buh bye

catnipforsale t1_itnaepb wrote on October 24, 2022 at 10:08 PM

My sister gave my her tablet laptop a couple years ago that used a specific c charger that was lost and I couldn't find a replacement anywhere. Turned out my switch charger was the only thing that worked on it, though it only worked half the time. I'd randomly have to unplug it and plug it back in.

ChefArtorias t1_itnb2j0 wrote on October 24, 2022 at 10:13 PM

The switch charger is special somehow. I used it to charge my phone when I got my switch because it's so long. Then one day it just won't work anymore. Still worked great on the switch.

theblackfool t1_itmqb5j wrote on October 24, 2022 at 7:55 PM

You're being downvoted, but I definitely have USB C chargers that don't charge my Switch. I dunno the difference though I'm not tech savvy enough.

007craft t1_itmtt9f wrote on October 24, 2022 at 8:18 PM

That's because it's all about watts. USB c cables have ratings. Some can do 5 watts, others can do 100. Assuming you have a high quality cable, now you need to worry about the charger. Some do 5w (older chargers) and some do 100 (ultra beefy laptops). The Nintendo switch needs 18w to run in handheld mode and 39 in a docked situation. So assuming you're playing docked, you want your charger to be at least 39watts. If you're just trying to charge the switch on its own, at least 18w. If you plug the switch into a 50 watt charger but only use a cable that can do 10w, then you're limited to 10w. And 10w is not enough to charge the switch.

moldymoosegoose t1_itmu5di wrote on October 24, 2022 at 8:20 PM

The switch doesn't follow type c specs properly. It can charge properly in handheld but in docked, you need a specific charger that's designed to work in the switch, even if you have the proper wattage. Same with their pro controllers. Certain chargers won't work and handshake properly. Nintendo is a mess.

007craft t1_itmzxw8 wrote on October 24, 2022 at 8:57 PM

That is not true. I own a switch and charge it just fine while docked using a combination of This generic USB-C Hub (you need to make sure the hub has a USBC power input like this one does), a generic USBC cable (rated properly to do high wattage of course) and This generic AC adapter. No Nintendo dock, cables or charger needed. Since the usb hub and charger are so small, its my portable dock solution (and I have a short 1 foot HDMI cable I bring in my travel case too.

moldymoosegoose t1_itn2kw0 wrote on October 24, 2022 at 9:14 PM

It actually is true and has been tested several times. Some chargers have been designed to work outside of spec for compatibility issues. Just because you found a charger that works means nothing. It's literally been tested and confirmed to not follow the spec, same as the Pro controllers

https://www.reddit.com/r/NintendoSwitch/comments/87vmud/the_switch_is_not_usbc_compliant_and_overdraws/

zerpa t1_itmwqhl wrote on October 24, 2022 at 8:36 PM

This might be true today, but the new legislation explicitly requires compliance to USB standard, including power delivery. It not just about the plug.

ChefArtorias t1_itmxfi5 wrote on October 24, 2022 at 8:40 PM

It'd be great if USA hopped on this train!

yacht_boy t1_itlgo3y wrote on October 24, 2022 at 2:58 PM

I'd be fine with this. USB c turned out to be such a poorly done standard that I ended up burning through cables and chargers trying to find good ones and also ended up with multiple phones that had broken usb c ports after less than a year of normal usage. Finally have up and switched to an iPhone and haven't missed usb c once.

Edit: for the love of god, stop replying. It's just a USB port.

SwallowYourDreams t1_itli2rz wrote on October 24, 2022 at 3:08 PM

I've seen several broken microUSB ports, but yet to see a broken USB type C one. Afaik, it's even designed with robustness in mind.

yacht_boy t1_itlpom8 wrote on October 24, 2022 at 3:59 PM

My last Samsung and Pixel phones both developed USB-C port issues in under a year.

BeginByLettingGo t1_itm005f wrote on October 24, 2022 at 5:06 PM

You must have loads of shit in your pockets then. The main issue with USB-C is the fact that the pins inside the port get dirty or covered with lint which impedes charging. A simple burst of compressed air clears it right up.

yacht_boy t1_itmey7i wrote on October 24, 2022 at 6:42 PM

I do not, actually. Phone, wallet (slimmest one I can find), chapstick, keys. Usually try to keep the phone separate from the keys and the wallet so I'm not walking around all lopsided. Tried compressed air and all the other various tricks.

SwallowYourDreams t1_itlx8nw wrote on October 24, 2022 at 4:48 PM

The trick is not to hammer a screwdriver into it. ;)

Written from a (degoogled) Pixel 4a with a perfectly intact type C port.

yacht_boy t1_itmedvc wrote on October 24, 2022 at 6:39 PM

Hah. Otterbox cases and all that jazz, I tried hard to make sure the phones lasted.

happyscrappy t1_itm2h94 wrote on October 24, 2022 at 5:22 PM

I have not found it hard to find good chargers. I bought USB-C chargers from Anker like I did USB-A. And they turned out to be great. As expected.

I am concerned about port lifespan as you are. I think USB-C is a good connector, but nothing beats Lightning for ease of cleaning out pocket lint. And that center fin looks like it could break off. Lightning avoids that center fin.

yacht_boy t1_itmfl1f wrote on October 24, 2022 at 6:46 PM

I tried to buy quality cables and chargers, including many from Anker. The Anker chargers generally held up but I wasn't as impressed with their cables. Found myself replacing multiple cables a year between our 2 phones and all the places we keep chargers (2 each for bed, couch, office, each car). Have not had an Apple cable go bad on us yet.

HerbHurtHoover t1_itmnqam wrote on October 24, 2022 at 7:39 PM

Lightning is complete trash. The pins and contacts are so fragile and prone to corrosion that on every lightning cable i've own at least two of the contacts just disappear at some point.

happyscrappy t1_itmzc2f wrote on October 24, 2022 at 8:53 PM

Been using it the 10 years it has existed. Never had such a problem on any cable at all.

Not that I would be too concerned if I did. The socket is on a $900 device, the cable is $20. The socket being so good is what makes Lightning good.

HerbHurtHoover t1_itocx95 wrote on October 25, 2022 at 2:54 AM

Its really weird that there are people outright lying for a corporation.

happyscrappy t1_itodh0h wrote on October 25, 2022 at 2:58 AM

Making bald accusations like that does nothing.

I related my experiences. You related yours.

I've never had a problem with a Lightning connector losing a single contact.

Apple cables shredding their insulation? Sure. I don't use Apple's C to Lightning cables much because of that (and the cost).

HerbHurtHoover t1_itoe4u2 wrote on October 25, 2022 at 3:03 AM

No, I'm relaying the general truth that the cables fall apart with a stuff breeze. You are trying to muddy the waters for some dumb reason.

And its ALL lightning cables. Apple owns the patent and won't license it to anyone that would actually make a long lasting product.

USB-C is license free. Meaning actual competition makes the cables better.

happyscrappy t1_itoeqy6 wrote on October 25, 2022 at 3:08 AM

> No, I'm relaying the general truth that the cables fall apart with a stuff breeze. You are trying to muddy the waters for some dumb reason.

No. You are relating your experiences. I am relating mine.

You suggest that you had multiple pins fall out of Lightning cable connectors. I indicate I have had none.

There's no difference here. You are not the arbiter of truth, nor do you have a platform from which to make any kind of serious shill accusation from nor claims that I am "muddying" anything.

> And its ALL lightning cables. Apple owns the patent and won't license it to anyone that would actually make a long lasting product.

Nonsense. I get most of my cables from Anker. They last longer than Apple's, insulation-wise. And as I said, I've never had a problem with the connector itself so that's no different.

> USB-C is license free. Meaning actual competition makes the cables better.

Not sure what this has to do with anything other than your fantasy about collusion to make bad cables.

HerbHurtHoover t1_itpx0id wrote on October 25, 2022 at 1:23 PM

Jesus christ, give it a rest. You aren't fooling anyone. Its common knowledge that they fall apart. This weird gaslighting shtick is just sad.

happyscrappy t1_itqm5ag wrote on October 25, 2022 at 4:15 PM

This isn't a case of you speaking the God's truth and me lying.

We are both relating our experiences.

You suggest that you had multiple pins fall out of Lightning cable connectors. I indicate I have had none. I've never had a problem with the connector itself on any Lightning cable. And I've been using them since the last iPod Nano (the first one that used Lightning).

HerbHurtHoover t1_itqmpj5 wrote on October 25, 2022 at 4:19 PM

The fact you have to keep claiming im relaying only my experiences, which i am not, says all anyone needs to know about you. Pathetic.

Trout22 t1_itlnoil wrote on October 24, 2022 at 3:46 PM

Said literally no one ever. If you are having issues with USB C apple cords will be even tougher lol

yacht_boy t1_itlq78c wrote on October 24, 2022 at 4:02 PM

13 months in and not one single issue with the apple cords. My wife made the switch, too, after her Samsung kept having USB C issues. Every single device that has USB C has been problematic for me except for the Macbook Air I bought last year. Even my HP laptop barely made it 18 months before both ports stopped working well.

Xori1 t1_itlyx9h wrote on October 24, 2022 at 4:59 PM

What a load of crap. Usb c is the far sturdier port than lightning. Don’t get me started on micro usb. Maybe look at your user habits instead of blaming a great port that has other issues (standards) for reliability flaws.

yacht_boy t1_itmej5d wrote on October 24, 2022 at 6:39 PM

Never defended micro usb. My habits are to put my phone in a case and then keep it in my pocket. I work an office job and sit around all day. Pockets have phone, wallet, keys, and chapstick and very rarely anything else. Maybe don't get so worked up about a USB port?

yacht_boy t1_itmdz5b wrote on October 24, 2022 at 6:36 PM

Meh, my experience is dissimilar. I didn't really want to switch to Apple, and I didn't really want to switch charging cables. But after having so many phones give me hardware issues I made the switch. Not a huge fan of Apple software, but the hardware is exceptional and the charging has been rock solid.

Also worth noting that the wireless charging on the Apple works so much better than it did on the Pixel or Samsung I had previously that I actually use it, which also relieves pressure on the phone port.

HerbHurtHoover t1_itmo28z wrote on October 24, 2022 at 7:41 PM

Whats with all these weird obviously bullshit stories whenever this topic gets brought up.

Apple's cables are notorious garbage. They break within six months top. You are pretending to be ignorant of this... why?

yacht_boy t1_itn0ig0 wrote on October 24, 2022 at 9:00 PM

Not pretending to be ignorant of anything. I was a loyal android person for years, but the build quality was consistently crap no matter what brand I bought or how much I spent. I've only been on Apple for 13 months but so far the hardware is 10x better on all things, including the cables. I don't love the software experience and miss a lot about android, but I no longer have issues with basic functions like charging my device.

HerbHurtHoover t1_itod0cd wrote on October 25, 2022 at 2:54 AM

No, you are just trying to pass yourself as impartial to sell the bullshit

yallmad4 t1_itlze2b wrote on October 24, 2022 at 5:02 PM

I'm really glad you're the kind of person shitposting to reddit instead of making a difference in the world or the world would be much worse.

Keep up the good work.

yacht_boy t1_itmdggl wrote on October 24, 2022 at 6:33 PM

I had no idea that the USB C standard was so vital to making the world a better place.

framk20 t1_itlqlr2 wrote on October 24, 2022 at 4:05 PM

Funny that you're getting downvoted when you're 100% right here. The spec is absolute garbage under the hood, the only thing they got right was rotational symmetry

yacht_boy t1_itme8jl wrote on October 24, 2022 at 6:38 PM

I'm not surprised that people pile on downvotes for weird shit on reddit, but I am surprised that so many people seem to have based their self-worth on a USB standard.

I had at least 4 devices with crappy USB C ports before I reluctantly switched over to Apple. All I do is use my phone like a normal person with an office job.