As a condensed half true and a bit hyperbole summary:
Usb-c is first and foremost just a connector definition. So getting a usb-c cable is basically saying you will have a cable with this plug and a specific wire configuration. But you can omit wires if you don’t need them and still have a USB c cable. So from the phyisical definition this means your cable can have a plug that connects into a socket and is not wired internally at all. You can still call this a USB cable. That is why apple usb-c cables are often unable to transfer data, for example. This is done for downward compatibility with the USB standard.
The USB standard defines the functional properties of a USB cable. Depending on which version, which can be any number between 1.0 and 3.2 or thunderbolt, you have different lower and upper bounds that are possible. Except with USB 1.0 to 3.0 you don’t have lower bounds, you can omit parts of the specification completely and you can still call it a USB 2 or whatever cable. This means just because you have a USB c cable it does not give you any information about it’s capabilities. Except if it is thunderbolt or USB 3.2 because these have minimum requirements.
Because the functional and constructional definition is so wide ranged the standard does not give you any meaningful information. Which means it’s basically useless.
I am guessing that they are referring to the situation, that while all usb-c can be connected to each other you can have very different ones. Fast data transfer and slow. 10 watt and 100 watt and so on
My Pixel 10 Pro XL is allegedly capable of fast charging at up to 45W. Great, I have a 65W charger, let’s give it a go - it tops out at 22.5W no matter what. Alright, I’ll try my 30W charger - only 15W now. How about the 20W one, will that work? Nope, still only 15W.
I do some searching and found out that the Pixel needs a charger that supports PPS rather than just PD to achieve higher charging speeds. So I find a 45W charger that supports PPS. Finally, let’s give it a go! … 24-25W maximum. Turns out that yes, it does support PPS, but not up to 21V which the Pixel needs to charge at 37-38W (and it won’t go up to 45W despite Google’s claim that it’s capable of that).
All that said, that has nothing to do with the connector cable. It’s just that USB charging standards are a mess.
Consider me ignorant but whats the USB-C situation ?
Well … Sigh in short because it is meaningless.
As a condensed half true and a bit hyperbole summary: Usb-c is first and foremost just a connector definition. So getting a usb-c cable is basically saying you will have a cable with this plug and a specific wire configuration. But you can omit wires if you don’t need them and still have a USB c cable. So from the phyisical definition this means your cable can have a plug that connects into a socket and is not wired internally at all. You can still call this a USB cable. That is why apple usb-c cables are often unable to transfer data, for example. This is done for downward compatibility with the USB standard.
The USB standard defines the functional properties of a USB cable. Depending on which version, which can be any number between 1.0 and 3.2 or thunderbolt, you have different lower and upper bounds that are possible. Except with USB 1.0 to 3.0 you don’t have lower bounds, you can omit parts of the specification completely and you can still call it a USB 2 or whatever cable. This means just because you have a USB c cable it does not give you any information about it’s capabilities. Except if it is thunderbolt or USB 3.2 because these have minimum requirements.
Because the functional and constructional definition is so wide ranged the standard does not give you any meaningful information. Which means it’s basically useless.
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I am guessing that they are referring to the situation, that while all usb-c can be connected to each other you can have very different ones. Fast data transfer and slow. 10 watt and 100 watt and so on
My Pixel 10 Pro XL is allegedly capable of fast charging at up to 45W. Great, I have a 65W charger, let’s give it a go - it tops out at 22.5W no matter what. Alright, I’ll try my 30W charger - only 15W now. How about the 20W one, will that work? Nope, still only 15W.
I do some searching and found out that the Pixel needs a charger that supports PPS rather than just PD to achieve higher charging speeds. So I find a 45W charger that supports PPS. Finally, let’s give it a go! … 24-25W maximum. Turns out that yes, it does support PPS, but not up to 21V which the Pixel needs to charge at 37-38W (and it won’t go up to 45W despite Google’s claim that it’s capable of that).
All that said, that has nothing to do with the connector cable. It’s just that USB charging standards are a mess.
Fair enough, but isnt most of that circumvented by getting good cables ?
Tbh USB-C was a godsend I bought in early but I prefer having to grapple wether my cables are up to par than if I have a fitting one at all :D
I find the current situation much better than having 33 usb standards and a cable for each and 99 adapters…
So yes it is better. Every usbc cable will work (also I think there are less “power only” cables now)
Yes, the current situation with a baseline is definitely better than what it was before.