I thought all USB-C cables were the same; I couldn't have been more wrong
Android Police 2026-07-24 10:00:15
Context: A closer look at USB-C cables reveals that they are not created equal, despite having the same physical connector. The author's investigation found that cables can vary significantly in terms of data transfer speed, charging wattage, and support for features like video output. This disparity can lead to frustrating experiences, such as slow file transfers or failed connections to external monitors.
Key Facts
- USB-C cables can support different features, such as data transfer speeds of up to 40Gbps, charging wattage of up to 240W, and video output through DisplayPort Alternate Mode (DP Alt Mode) or Thunderbolt 3/4/5.
- The USB-C connector only describes the physical connector, not the cable's capabilities, and two cables can look identical while supporting different features, such as USB 2.0 speeds or tens of gigabits per second.
- Many entry-level USB-C charging cables are rated for 3A, which limits them to 60W charging, while 5A cables with an e-marker chip can carry more current and support faster charging.
- The e-marker chip in a USB-C cable tells the charger how much power the cable can safely handle, and if the chip is not present, the charger automatically limits output to protect the cable.
- Certified USB-C cables are labeled with their maximum data transfer rate, such as 5Gbps, 10Gbps, 20Gbps, or 40Gbps, and their charging capabilities, such as 60W or 240W, in line with the latest USB-IF branding.