Getting USB Type-C Cable From Amazon? Read This Guy Review First
If you are thinking of getting a USB Type-C cable from Amazon, be sure to read Benson Leung’s review on Amazon first.
Benson works in Google and his team at Google has been very big proponents and innovators of USB Type-C. He has worked on two Pixel products that use the connector and its related technologies (Power Delivery, Alternate Mode, USB 3.1).
As of writing, he had reviewed ten cables and only three of them are recommended. Out of the three, only Belkin’s cable ships to Singapore.
- Type C, iOrange-E 6.6 Ft (2M) Braided Cable with Reversible Connector for New Macbook 12 inch, ChromeBook Pixel, Nokia N1 Tablet, Asus Zen AiO and Other Devices with Type C USB, Black – US$17.99 (S$26)
- Belkin 2.0 USB-C to USB-A Charge Cable, Works with Google Chromebook Pixel 2, Apple New MacBook and Other USB Type C Compatible Devices (6-Foot) – US$19.99 (S$28)
- FRiEQ Hi-speed USB 3.1 Type C Cable – 3.3ft/1m – Micro USB 3.1 Type C Male to Standard Type A USB 3.0 Male Data Cable for Apple New Macbook 12 Inch, Nokia N1, Tablet, Mobile Phone and Other Type-C Supported Devices – Black – US$11.99 (S$17)
Most of the not recommended cables have the same problem as described by Benson in the review:
In other words, since you are creating a USB Type-C plug to a USB 2.0 Type-B receptacle assembly, you must use a resistor of value 56kΩ. According to our testing, your cable uses a 10kΩ pull-up, which is not legal when the other end of the cable or adapter is a legacy Type-A or Type-B connector or receptacle.
By using this cable, your phone, tablet, or laptop computer may attempt to draw 3A, which may be more than the micro-b to A cable you attach to this adapter may be able to handle. This may cause damage to whatever cable, hub, pc, or charger you plug into this.
In layman terms, all USB Type-A to Micro USB and USB Type-A to Type-C supports up to 2.4A charging. Only USB Type-C to USB Type-C supports up to 3A charging. USB Type-A is the normal USB head.
The problem with the not recommended cables is they try to draw 3A current for USB Type-A to USB Type-C which is above the limit of the specifications and may damage the equipments, be it the phone or the charger.
I am not so sure of the USB Type-A to USB Type-C scene in Singapore, but if you want to get a good cable, get the Belkin one if you can find it in stores, if not, get it from Apple Online Store for S$29.
I bought iOrange-E’s USB Type-A to USB Type-C cable from Amazon.
I am trying to get Google’s USB Type-C to USB Standard-A Plug Cable US$12.99 (S$19), but it is out of stock for quite some time. The same for Monoprice’s USB 2.0 USB-C Male to USB-A Male Cable, 3ft US$9.99 (S$14), it is out of stock as well.
