Universal USB-C is a Distant Dream

Apple’s “Wonderlust” proved to be not so wonderful as most of its announcements were already part of the rumor mills. However, in spite of not surprising us with anything out of the ordinary, Tim Cook and his band of merry folk did stick with their promise of standardizing the charging ports starting with the iPhone 15 series. 

(Source: Apple)

What you see in the picture above is indeed the two new USB-C cables that can technically charge all phones of any make as well as a few other gadgets, thus removing the need for carrying around a bunch of jumbled up wires in the laptop bags. Well, hang on! Before you heave that collective sigh of relief, be aware that all USB-C cables aren’t the same. 

Yes, you read that right for USB-C cables come in multiple capacities as is evident from the image above – that is if you’ve actually stared carefully at it. One of the cables is thinner than the other and that’s no accident. Apple introduced two new cables that are capable of 60W and 240W charging power respectively. 

So, the narrative shared by gadget makers around a universal charging cable for all devices at home or the workplace remains a distant dream. While one can grab any USB-C cable and charge a device, there is no guarantee that the combination of cable and power brick is actually delivering an optimum charging experience. 

Charging standards aren’t the same yet

Why so? Because they may not adapt to the charging standards of the device. Of course, these cables are used to transfer data and also power up displays, but without clear labels on them, the USB-C cables cannot tell you whether it’s the best possible option for the devices. Which is why we mentioned that universalization is still a far cry. 

What’s more, Apple has pulled a fast one with the cables. Though the iPhone 15 does have a USB-C port, the base models are aligned to USB 2.0 speeds for data transfer with only the Pro models allowing USB 3.0 speeds. So, you may just have to spend some extra dollars (or rupees) to acquire a separate cable for charging and data transfer!  

Obfuscation methods at work? 

In spite of being a fanboy, this author is quite aware of Apple’s obfuscation tactics and we do believe this is one such. And it’s all to do with the nomenclature. The USB 3.0 spec provides for 5Gbits/second while the USB 3.1 allows for double this speed. However, the latter is referred to as USB 3.2 Gen 2×1 or SuperSpeed. However, there’s another USB 3.2 cable that supports 20Gbits/second data transfer. Now, go figure out which is which on an empty stomach! 

And if you feel pukish after reading that, there’s more. New standards such as USB 4 share a connector with Thunderbolt 4 or 5, whose capabilities also differ. While gadget makers are having fun with technologically challenged customers like us, there’s an agency called USB-IF that certifies these cables upon set standards to make our lives easy. 

(Source: USB-IF)

These standards are created by the USB Promoters Group and specific logos have been created (see image above) to simplify the classification. However, there’s a catch. These labels are voluntary and even manufacturers needn’t display them. And that’s precisely what Apple has done – one fat and one thin label whom we can call Laurel and Hardy for good measure. Because, there are no markings on the cables or on the packaging. So, go figure out. 

There’s more, because the operating systems also add to this confusion. Picking up any USB-C cable to charge a device isn’t easy as one may not know what charging speeds it supports. Readers may recall that ChromeOS did come out with a feature last year that provides users a quick update on its abilities when plugged into a device. 

Apple has done no such thing. Which means accessory makers will have a field day making USB-C cables for the iPhones and AirPods that offer different charging and data transfer capabilities. To expect the manufacturers to share USB-IF labels on the packaging would be like expecting rains in the Thar desert.