USB-C: A Universal Plug with Many Faces
I stumbled upon a small joy: my e‑reader now connects directly to my iPhone. That moment sparked a deeper look into the messy clarity of the USB‑C standard.
Understanding what’s standard—and what’s not
When I upgraded my phone, I decided to switch everything to USB-C. That meant replacing not just the device itself, but also the ecosystem around it: power packs, chargers, car adapters, and every cable I regularly use. The change was welcome. Most of my equipment now connects via the same sleek, reversible plug.
But in the process, I learned something worth sharing: USB-C is a physical standard, not a guarantee of capability.
The Illusion of Standardisation
At first glance, USB-C seems like the long-awaited universal solution. One plug to charge all your devices, transfer data, and maybe even connect to external displays.
But here’s the catch: the plug is standard, the function is not.
Behind the identical shape of USB-C ports and cables lie different versions of USB protocols (like USB 2.0, 3.1, or 3.2), power delivery specifications, and sometimes even completely different technologies like Thunderbolt 3 or 4. A USB-C cable might look capable of charging a laptop or transferring 4K video, but if it’s built to USB 2.0 specs, it will perform no better than its much older predecessors.
Power and Voltage: Another Layer of Complexity
Charging performance is where these differences become especially noticeable. Some cables and chargers support Power Delivery (PD), which negotiates the voltage and current between device and charger. This enables fast charging, or in some cases, the ability to power large devices like laptops.
Other cables may only provide 5V and 2A—fine for a phone, but insufficient for power-hungry devices. Worse, some cables can even limit the performance of good chargers, simply because they lack the correct signalling or wire quality.
Thunderbolt ≠ USB
Adding to the confusion, some USB-C ports are actually Thunderbolt ports—especially on Macs and certain PCs. Thunderbolt offers much faster data transfer rates and video output support, but it still uses the USB-C form factor. That means you can plug in a USB-C device, but whether it works as expected depends entirely on what’s behind the port.
Lessons from the Transition
Replacing all my gear gave me a rare chance to see the landscape more clearly. I now carry fewer cables, and most of my setup is interoperable. But I’ve also learned to:
- Check specs before buying—a cable’s description should mention USB version, PD support, and wattage.
- Label or colour-code cables if they serve specific functions (e.g. fast charging, video output).
- Be cautious with assumptions—just because it fits doesn’t mean it works.
In Search of Simplicity That Simply Works
I’m not chasing minimalism for its own sake. I’m just curious. And when something does work simply—like a cable that charges my phone, connects my Kobo, or powers my MacBook without complaint—I take note.
The USB-C ecosystem has enormous potential, but we’re still living in a transition period. Uniformity of shape gives a false sense of universality. Until that gap closes, a little awareness goes a long way.
Rob Hoeijmakers
Rob Hoeijmakers