Previously, a Google engineer by the name of Benson Leung revealed that many USB Type-C cables on the market do not meet specification. Now, he has called out a particular Chinese company which are producing cables with a similar issue: OnePlus.
On his Google+ profile, Leung mentioned that OnePlus’ USB Type-C cable is not spec compliant; it uses a 3A identifier resistor which could damage your “charger, hub, or PC USB port” when used. He also pointed out that this cable should not be used with the Chromebook Pixel, Nexus 6P as well as Nexus 5X. When someone asked Leung if the cable will work fine with the OnePlus 2, he had this to say:
The OnePlus 2 doesn’t do fast charging so there is less risk, but you should still not have these cables around in case you get a newer fast charge capable tablet phone or laptop.
Unfortunately for OnePlus, this isn’t the only problematic product from the young company that the Google engineer has identified; OnePlus’ USB Type-C to microUSB (female) adapter has the same issue as well. It’s worth noting that OnePlus isn’t the only company that has released such a converter: Xiaomi also has one when it unveiled the Mi 4c. Whether or not it is just as defective as OnePlus’ offering remains to be seen.
Xiaomi’s USB Type-C adapter.
Essentially, OnePlus’ USB Type-C cable should only be used with the OnePlus 2, not with any other devices with a similar port. If you happen to own the new Nexus smartphones or the Chromebook Pixel, it’s best to not lose the cable that comes with the respective products.
(Source: Benson Leung (Google+) via The Verge)
