Google engineer warning: Don’t use OnePlus’ Type-C connectors with your Nexus 5X/6P

Recently we brought you news that a Google engineer named Benson Leung was testing a bunch of USB Type-C cables and reviewing them on Amazon, so that you didn’t have to and risk ruining your brand new Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P or Chromebook Pixel. Just yesterday, Leung specifically called out OnePlus on his public G+ profile to shame the company on its use of outdated tech which isn’t just old, but could end up damaging people’s devices. In short: If you have a Nexus 6P, 5X or Chromebook Pixel, you couldn’t buy any of OnePlus’ Type C connectors to charge or connect them…

As we discovered when the OnePlus 2 was officially announced, the Type-C support boasted in the latest ‘flagship killer’ isn’t true Type-C support, the company has essentially just stuck a Type-C shaped connecter to the end of a regular Micro USB cable.  During testing, Leung discovered that the OnePlus connector isn’t spec compliant, and although it does charge the Chromebook Pixel and other Type C devices, it doesn’t do so correctly.

The issue — it seems — is with the power management. Since the cable and Type C adapter use the wrong identifier resistor — which essentially means a true Type C product will try (and fail) to draw 3A power from the connector — it could cause damage to whatever it’s connected to. From the Amazon review of the Micro USB to Type-C adapter:

I found that this adapter does not correctly charge the Chromebook Pixel and other Type-C devices. My analysis shows that this cable, although will charge and provide data through to the devices, does not correctly follow the USB Type C specification for power delivery identification. The Oneplus adapter advertises itself as 3A capable, but that is not appropriate because this is a legacy host port adapter.

This warning comes as confirmation of what we already knew. The Type-C connector is only skin deep and doesn’t include any of the technological advantages that typically come with true Type-C products. In short: You should only use the OnePlus charging accessories with the OnePlus 2, and not with your new Nexus or any other future devices which ship with Type-C proper.