Type C USB connector

[skotl]

Oh wow, that's not good, most phones seem to have this C type connector now.

Your mileage may vary...

...I've got USB-C on lots of devices from speakers, tablets, laptops and desktop computers and never had any of them fail on me....

 

[Dr.Al]

Would you say that it wears out quicker than the micro type then??

Pretty much every device I've ever had with USB micro has had problems with connectivity after a year or two, even on devices that were only plugged in about once a week. The connectors were designed to be very small and very fragile and the spring contacts wear out quite quickly if they're used a lot. The connector is also held in place very weakly so can move around, increasing the chance of damaging the solder joints behind the USB micro socket.

I've had one USB C connector wear out (and I replaced it when it did) such that it was difficult to make a good connection. That was on my current phone, which I plug in every night and also (pre-lockdown) used to plug in for my commute each way (completely unnecessary with hindsight as the battery life is still about two days even now). Anyway, being plugged in three times a day, it finally started being a bit temperamental with its connection after three years. For a consumer product, surviving over 800 connect/disconnect cycles is frankly incredible, so I'd definitely choose USB-C over USB micro any day.

 

[J1nx]

The certification for type C requires....

3.8.1.3 Durability or Insertion/Extraction Cycles (EIA 364-09)
The durability rating shall be 10,000 cycles minimum for the USB Type-C connector family. The durability test shall be done at a rate of 500 ± 50 cycles per hour and no physical damage to any part of the connector and cable assembly shall occur.

The connector is better than previous versions. Compatibility can be an issue, even causing equipment damage so make sure you only buy compliant cables, it’s far more important with type C than previously.

 

[Seadog]

I have had issues twice with a C connector. The first was a build up of fluff. The second time was saw dust. A quick clean out with a shaped tooth pick and it was right as rain.

 

[earthman]

Pretty much every device I've ever had with USB micro has had problems with connectivity after a year or two, even on devices that were only plugged in about once a week. The connectors were designed to be very small and very fragile and the spring contacts wear out quite quickly if they're used a lot. The connector is also held in place very weakly so can move around, increasing the chance of damaging the solder joints behind the USB micro socket.

I've had one USB C connector wear out (and I replaced it when it did) such that it was difficult to make a good connection. That was on my current phone, which I plug in every night and also (pre-lockdown) used to plug in for my commute each way (completely unnecessary with hindsight as the battery life is still about two days even now). Anyway, being plugged in three times a day, it finally started being a bit temperamental with its connection after three years. For a consumer product, surviving over 800 connect/disconnect cycles is frankly incredible, so I'd definitely choose USB-C over USB micro any day.

Interesting. I've been plugging in my Samsung S4 every night for possibly 8 years or so now, not experienced any problems with the micro connector on that yet.
I dare say that I won't have much choice in going to a C type at some point, just don't have any such connector in the car charger kits I have in our vehicles, that's a pain and more expense.

 

[Seadog]

that's a pain and more expense.

Not as much of an expense as those deluded enough to buy Apple products

 

[earthman]

Not as much of an expense as those deluded enough to buy Apple products

Yeah I know.

I think I've solved my car charger problem with this adapter, at 85p each I don't mind buying one to keep in/on each vehicle we have. Anyone have/used such adapter, are they good?

https://www.cabledepot.co.uk/micro-...MIt7Owocff7AIVlGDmCh1nPgJiEAQYAyABEgJYAvD_BwE

 

[Dr.Al]

Yeah I know.

I think I've solved my car charger problem with this adapter, at 85p each I don't mind buying one to keep in/on each vehicle we have. Anyone have/used such adapter, are they good?

https://www.cabledepot.co.uk/micro-...MIt7Owocff7AIVlGDmCh1nPgJiEAQYAyABEgJYAvD_BwE

They're okay, but they suffer from the same problem as micro USB connectors that they don't give as good a connection as a direct USB one. If that's the only option then I'd recommend buying a few at that price so you have spares. It would be better to have a USB-C cable.

 

[HughF]

Oh wow, that's not good, most phones seem to have this C type connector now.

At the other end of the experience scale, I'm in the camp with skotl... All my usb-c and thunderbolt 3 devices are as good today as the day they left the factory years ago... Looks like lenovo have the junk sockets in them...

Mine are plugged and unplugged constantly

 

[earthman]

They're okay, but they suffer from the same problem as micro USB connectors that they don't give as good a connection as a direct USB one. If that's the only option then I'd recommend buying a few at that price so you have spares. It would be better to have a USB-C cable.

I am thinking in case of an emergency here, need to call the AA/RAC whilst in/on a vehicle.

 

[Kayos]

Usb C is what usb should be, one connector, bi-directional power and fast

I was looking at 2 laptops recently, I was swayed to the one I bought because it has 2 usb c ports instead of 1. The only other port I use is the hidden USB 2 port for my mouse dongle, never used the USB 3 ports

 

[Guzrik]

My previous phone (Wileyfox) had dust in the USB c port, solved with a toothpic and cda.
Current one (Ulefone Armour S5)has a rubber plug making it IP66.No need to take out.
Centering on wireless charging pad is a (small) issue, and a welcome excuse to look for a 3d printer.