Skip to main content

USB-C

See All Stories

iPhone 15 and Android phones will be able to charge each other thanks to USB-C [Video]

pixel 7 pro and iphone

Android smartphones have enjoyed the ability for years now to use a USB-C cable to charge other devices using the battery on their own phone, something that’s handy in a pinch. And, thanks to the iPhone 15 series finally adopting USB-C, Android phones and iPhones will finally be able to share their power with one another.

Expand Expanding Close

Comment: Android users can enjoy the benefits of iPhone 15’s USB-C while old owners complain

iphone 15 usb-c

USB-C in smartphones is nothing new, with Android devices having used the port for the better part of a decade now. But, despite all of that time on Android, it’s the iPhone 15’s switch to USB-C that might finally fix the biggest problem with Android accessories, and Android users will be able to enjoy those benefits while some existing iPhone owners take issue with the change.

Expand Expanding Close

Essential Earphones HD Review: Just really good audio over USB-C

In a world of truly wireless earbuds and disappearing headphone jacks, wired earbuds are quickly falling to the wayside. However, we’ve seen a few pairs of USB-C earbuds hit the market since the debut of Google’s Pixel 2, and now, Essential is jumping into that market with its own option.

Launched earlier this year, Essential’s new Earphones HD are a pair of USB-C earbuds designed to provide stellar audio quality in a package you don’t have to pair or charge. Simply plug them into the USB-C port on your Essential Phone, or any other device with a USB-C port, and you’ll have stellar audio — that’s the goal. Do they deliver? Let’s take a closer look.


Expand
Expanding
Close

Review: Libratone Q Adapt USB-C ‘Made for Google’ earbuds are expensive but excellent with the Pixel 2

Google’s new phones drop the headphone jack — that’s just a fact we’re forced to live with if we want the latest and greatest. While Bluetooth is a great option in many ways, having effortless headphones you never have to charge, pair, or use with a dongle is something many will miss. Thankfully, there are solutions, like the Libratone Q Adapt USB-C earbuds.


Expand
Expanding
Close

You’ll be able to charge the Pixel 2 phones even faster with a 27W USB-C charger

[Update: Benson Leung shared in a blog post update that 27W charging isn’t supported after all. “I’d like to clarify this post as Pixel 2 and 2 XL will not be able to support 27W charging. While the phones may be able to negotiate more power using USB Power Delivery when connected to a higher wattage charger, there are other factors which may limit the speed at which it charges the battery. The included 18W charger in the box will provide optimal charging for Pixel 2 and 2 XL. Sorry for the confusion!”]

Google is (mostly) good at using USB-C and taking advantage of what it can do, and the Pixel phones are a big part of that. Last year’s devices were able to fast charge over USB-C without any proprietary Qualcomm tech, and the Pixel 2 family can do the same. New this year, though, is expanded compatibility with even faster chargers.


Expand
Expanding
Close

OnePlus 3T with Dash Charge goes head-to-head with the Pixel XL’s USB-C fast charging [Video]

Site default logo image

oneplus3t_dash_pixelxl_usbc

Just yesterday OnePlus unveiled the OnePlus 3T, an updated version of the already-pretty-impressive OnePlus 3. It brings an updated processor, extra storage, a new color variant, and a handful of other improvements. One of those was a larger battery. The larger 3,400 mAh battery adds a little extra stamina to the phone, but also extends the charging time ─ or at least, that’s how it’s supposed to work.


Expand
Expanding
Close

Got a device with USB-C? Here are a few useful gadgets you might want to pick up

usbc_gadgets

It’s been almost a year since I bought my first device with USB-C, the Nexus 6P. At first, the standard was still so young that it was pretty difficult to find accessories that worked properly and were actually useful. Fast forward to now and the market has changed, thanks in no small part to the growing number of USB C powered smartphones and tablets on the available today…


Expand
Expanding
Close

Samsung halting some Galaxy Note 7 shipments following multiple user device explosions

note-7.00_01_50_15.Still251

It’s only been a couple of weeks since the Galaxy Note 7 released to glowing reviews, but reports are now claiming that the company is pressing pause on shipments of the device. Why? Over the past several days we’ve seen multiple reports of user devices exploding while charging, so Samsung is suspending shipments as a safety concern for its customers.


Expand
Expanding
Close

JBL’s new USB C headphones are now for sale, but they will cost you

jbl-reflect-aware-earphones-black-01

After placing a heavy focus on audio in the HTC 10, the company revealed that it was working with JBL to create one of the first pairs of earbuds powered by USB C. The JBL Reflect Aware C offer both digital audio and active noise cancellation along with a sweat-proof design. After being announced earlier this year, these headphones are now available for sale.


Expand
Expanding
Close

Lenovo’s Moto Z doesn’t have a headphone jack, but includes a 3.5mm-to-USB C adapter

moto_z_1

The new Moto Z is officially the world’s thinnest smartphone at just 5.2mm, but to achieve that they’ve had to make some sacrifices. The battery is quite a bit smaller than most phones at just 2,600 mAh, and another issue with the razor thin design is that you won’t have a 3.5mm headphone jack.


Expand
Expanding
Close

Take a look at the next Galaxy Note shown in glorious high-res renders

Note 7

The follow-up to the Galaxy Note 5, America’s most loved phone, is coming.

There is a lot of confusion regarding both its name and the various potential shapes it is to come to the market with, but reliable leaker Steve Hemmerstoffer is continuously cluing us in, this time with new high-resolution images…


Expand
Expanding
Close

New rumors corroborate Samsung’s Galaxy Note 7 launch in August as image renders surface [Video]

Note 7The rumor mill for Samsung‘s next flagship seems to be unstoppable. Be it for its size, specs or configurations, it is undoubted that the Galaxy Note 6 — or Note 7, as we have now come to expect it — is polarizing a lot of interest.

Today, thanks to two of the most famous leakers in the tech space, we may have new information regarding its launch date as well as a detailed look at the device itself…


Expand
Expanding
Close

LG G5 is fully USB C compliant despite Quick Charge 3.0 support, research finds

LG g5 USB-c

As it often happens with new technologies — especially the ones that aim to replace fundamental, widely used parts of our digital devices — the early implementations are often challenged by a series of missteps and various other problems.

The latest concrete example of this is the promising-yet-troubled USB-C, which led to a few controversies as of late. However, it seems, with its latest G5 flagship, LG may be one of the few manufacturers that got it right (via gtrusted)…


Expand
Expanding
Close

Galaxy Note 6 rumored to drop microUSB, bring USB-C to Samsung’s flagship lineup

A common trend among flagship devices this year has been the introduction of USB-C, a new standard that allows a single port to convey functions such as charging and data transfer with higher speeds and power capacities, all while being conveniently reversible.

Samsung, however, has uncharacteristically remained out of the conversation — either to avoid controversy or not to cause compatibility issues with its Gear VR — and brought the Galaxy S7 (and S7 edge) to the market with an “old” microUSB connector. The Galaxy Note 6, SamMobile reports, is however looking like it’ll change things…


Expand
Expanding
Close

9to5Toys Lunch Break: Samsung 50-inch 4K 3D UHDTV $849, Aukey USB-C Charger $16, more

9to5toys-header

Keep up with the best gear and deals on the web by signing up for the 9to5Toys Newsletter. Also, be sure to check us out on: TwitterRSS FeedFacebookGoogle+ and Safari push notifications.

TODAY’S CAN’T MISS DEALS:

samsung-UN50JU7100

Samsung 50-inch 4K 3D 120Hz Smart LED UHDTV w/ 4 HDMI inputs: $849 shipped (Reg. $1,400)

aukey-usb-c-car-charger

Smartphone Accessories: Aukey 3-Port USB-C/A Car QuickCharger $16, iPhone 6 Wallet Case $13, more

moto e

AT&T GoPhone Motorola Moto E 8GB: $36 shipped (Reg. $60) | Best Buy

moto-x-pure-edition-jonathan-adler

Moto X Pure Edition designed by Jonathan Adler is now $350 (Reg. $475) | Motorola

13-inch-macbook-air

Apple 13-inch MacBook Air 1.6GHz/4GB/128GB (newest version): $790 shipped (Reg. $999)

Travel light w/ Apple’s 11-inch MacBook Air 1.6GHz/4GB/128GB for $710 shipped (Reg. $899)

Save big on Apple’s newest laptops: Retina MacBook Pro $1,000 (Reg. $1,299)

MORE NEW GEAR FROM TODAY:

airport-express-features

Buy a refurbished Apple AirPort Express Wi-Fi router w/ 1-yr warranty for $49 shipped (Orig. $99)

MORE DEALS STILL ALIVE:

adobe-creative-cloud-software

Adobe Creative Cloud Photography plan (Photoshop CC + Lightroom): $8/month (save $24/yr)

apple-tv

Apple TV Deals: 4th Gen 64GB $175 (Reg. $200), 3rd Gen $49 (Reg. $69), more

NEW PRODUCTS & MORE:

tcl-toku-close

TCL’s new 4K Roku-enabled UHDTVs hit every price point

house-powered-by-prius

How-to: Use your car and an inexpensive inverter to replace the need for a home generator

Opinion: 5 reasons why USB Type-C is a non-negotiable feature in my next Android phone

nexus-6p-usb-type-c

Very quickly, USB Type-C has this year become a part of every phone’s spec sheet. Either a new phone has USB Type-C, or it doesn’t. And it’s already being seen as a pro (or a con) when comparing phones against each other. Before the introduction of USB-C, pretty much every handset was assumed to have the previous connector, microUSB. And pretty much every phone did. Now, that’s changing.

With the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P, and the OnePlus 2 before that, Android smartphones have recently begun adopting the new standard en masse, and as far as we know, many of the phones set to be announced in the coming months — including the HTC One M10 and the LG G5 — are going to make the jump. For me, supporting USB Type-C is absolutely a requirement for my next phone. Here’s why…


Expand
Expanding
Close

Google engineer’s testing of USB-C cables ends as bad cable fries his Chromebook & test kit

Site default logo image

usb-c

Update: Leung has resumed testing with a repaired test device, but for now can only weed out bad cables for now as he still doesn’t have a working Chromebook.

Google engineer Benson Leung was doing a great job at distinguishing the good, the bad and the ugly where USB Type-C cables are concerned, exposing ones that failed to meet the proper specs as well as others that were just plain dangerous.

Unfortunately his testing has now come to an abrupt end as one particularly bad cable resulted in significant damage to both his Chromebook Pixel and the USB PD sniffer devices he was using …


Expand
Expanding
Close

9to5Toys Last Call: 2nd gen. Moto X $243, USB-C and QuickCharge deals from $6, more

9to5toys-header

Keep up with the best gear and deals on the web by signing up for the 9to5Toys Newsletter. Also, be sure to check us out on: TwitterRSS FeedFacebookGoogle+ and Safari push notifications.

TODAY’S CAN’T MISS DEALS:

Last Call Updates:

lg-g-watch

LG G Watch Android Wear refurb: $65 shipped (Reg. $110) | A4C

moto x g

2nd gen. Moto X (unlocked) $243 shipped, 2nd gen. Moto G w/ free dock $100 shipped

41fPQeB1kfL

USB-C Flash Drive $10, QuickCharge USB Wall Chargers from Anker $6

6.6ft USB-C to USB-C iOrange-E cable: $10.99 Prime shipped w/ code

family-of-3-pebbles

Pebble Smartwatch for Android and iPhone (Refurb): $50 (Orig. $150)

ue-megaboom-black

Daily Deals: Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM Bluetooth speaker (Refurb) $180, ViewSonic 28-inch 4K LED Monitor $275more

swiss-gear-backpacks

Amazon Gold Box: Top-rated SwissGear Laptop Backpacks up to 60% off, deals from $34 Prime shipped

google-chromecast-2

‘Tap 10’ gets you a free Chromecast after you use Android Pay 10 times ($35 value)

MORE NEW GEAR FROM TODAY:

The-Lorax-movie-image

Media: iTunes $10 book-inspired movie sale – The Lorax, Wizard of Oz + others, Mel Brooks collection $19more

MORE DEALS STILL ALIVE:

lg-watch-urbane-android-smartwatch

LG Watch Urbane Android Wear Smartwatch: $200 shipped (Reg. $259)

zac-brown-band

Google Play albums from Zac Brown Band and more on sale for $0.99 each

amazon-prime-pre-order-promo-01

Game pre-orders for Amazon Prime members – Final Fantasy XV, more: $48 ea (Reg. $60)

NEW PRODUCTS & MORE:

blipcast-kickstarter

Blipcast uses your Wi-Fi to beam HDTV audio to multiple iOS or Android devices

8bit-do-speaker-angle

This Nintendo-inspired Bluetooth speaker is just about perfect in every way

Deal: Googler-approved iOrange-E jacketed USB Type-C cables from $8 Prime shipped

usb c iorange-e

Update: There are now some even better prices available. You can grab the 6ft cable at $9 Prime shipped w/ code BUE2SL39, the 1ft cable at $8 Prime shipped w/ code OZIWJRGS, and the 10ft variant at just $10 Prime shipped w/ code OYDTW5TH.

If you’re on the lookout for some USB Type-C cables for your new Nexus 6P or Nexus 5X (or perhaps even a Chromebook Pixel or a 12-inch MacBook), this is a good opportunity to grab some at a great price. Amazon offers the iOrange-E USB Type-C 6.6 ft braided cable for just $10 Prime shipped w/ code NSUFTGQ3, and the same cable in its 10ft variant for $15 Prime shipped w/ code IBXAME3M. These are the lowest prices we’ve seen…


Expand
Expanding
Close