Google Nexus 5x and 6P

Re:Google Nexus 5x and 6P by mmastrac on Tuesday September 29, 2015 @01:56PM (#10298138)

I agree that it's not a great idea, but I assume it has something to do with the abnormally high current that it can provide.

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Re:Google Nexus 5x and 6P by gouggoug on Tuesday September 29, 2015 @02:03PM (#10298214)

This is probably right.

They mention: "15W of power so you can charge your USB Type-C enabled phones and tablets quickly. Also works with large USB Type-C devices, like laptops.¹".

And the footnote: "¹Wattage is optimized for smaller devices, like phones and tablets. Larger devices, like laptops, will take longer to charge. Delivers maximum charge speed to Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P. Charge time depends on USB Type-C device. Larger devices, such as the Chromebook Pixel, will typically need more charge time with this adapter (Pixel estimated charge time is 5.6 hours at 15W with system off)."

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Re:Google Nexus 5x and 6P by baddox on Tuesday September 29, 2015 @02:47PM (#10298573)

So does that mean that normal USB A connector for some reason can't handle the current? That seems odd.

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Re:Google Nexus 5x and 6P by sbierwagen on Tuesday September 29, 2015 @03:01PM (#10298669)

Yes, in fact. USB1 tops out at 2.1A, USB3 here is 3A. (Watts is volts times amps. 15W/5V = 3A)

USB Power Delivery chargers can deliver quite a lot more.

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Re:Google Nexus 5x and 6P by baddox on Tuesday September 29, 2015 @04:49PM (#10299529)

I'm only talking about the physical connector.

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Re:Google Nexus 5x and 6P by sbierwagen on Tuesday September 29, 2015 @04:52PM (#10299545)

Well if you go by the spec then USB1 and USB2 can only deliver 0.5A. Apple seems to have settled as 2.1A as the most current you can run through a USB connector without getting it too hot.

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Re:Google Nexus 5x and 6P by Dylan16807 on Wednesday September 30, 2015 @02:26AM (#10302138)

The power delivery spec requires special cables but allows 5 amps over normal* type A connectors.

*except for a detection mechanism for higher-power cables

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Re:Google Nexus 5x and 6P by tjohns on Tuesday September 29, 2015 @04:09PM (#10299239)

Not sure about the connector, but I have heard reports that some cheaper USB cables with thinner-gauge wires already cannot handle the current from some chargers that are on the market.

I can imagine USB-C only makes this more of a concern, since the USB Power Delivery spec allows up to 5 A @ 20 V.

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Re:Google Nexus 5x and 6P by guelo on Tuesday September 29, 2015 @04:42PM (#10299474)

That says nothing about a detachable cable.

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Re:Google Nexus 5x and 6P by thom_nic on Tuesday September 29, 2015 @08:31PM (#10300909)

Nah, as another commenter mentioned, the dual version has normal, removable cables. So no idea why the single variant couldn't: https://store.google.com/product/usb_c_dual_port_charger

Funny how (other than current limit) the original iPhone charger cube is still like the gold standard for chargers.

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Re:Google Nexus 5x and 6P by guelo on Tuesday September 29, 2015 @04:44PM (#10299487)

That's a bad assumption and doesn't make any sense.

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Re:Google Nexus 5x and 6P by gouggoug on Tuesday September 29, 2015 @07:39PM (#10300659)

That's also probably true, but your comment lacks some kind of explanation for people like me who actually know nothing about electrical engineering and can only make reasonable guesses.

I'd love to hear what the reason is for not offering a detachable cable ("I don't know why they wouldn't offer a detachable cable" being a completely fair answer).

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