The Universal Phone Charger Connection

[AM9]

There is - the top of them are rounded as is the port on the phone/device.

That isn't really clear enough except under good lighting. If there was a USB sign or even an arrow with the sockets conventionally being mounted one way or the other, it would be a lot less mismate prone.

 

[krus_aragon]

That isn't really clear enough except under good lighting. If there was a USB sign or even an arrow with the sockets conventionally being mounted one way or the other, it would be a lot less mismate prone.

I generally use one of two identical cables that have the USB logo embossed into the plastic on one side of the plug , and memorise which side the logo needs to be for a particular device.

The cables in question are Nokia CA-101s that I've acquired over the years. (I've got one newer cable (CA-190CD) that has a small logo in a gentle, round depression instead. I can't readily identify which way is up with that one, so it stays in the drawer as a spare.)

 

[cjmillsnun]

Im alrught with the micro usb I think a lot of peoples problem is that they try and ram it in and yank it out after theyre done. Being gentle seems a foreign concept to them from what ive seen.

Completely agree. My tablet uses micro USB and the lead and connector are like new. The tablet is 2 years old. Treat things with respect and they'll last you.

I do agree that Apple's lightning connector is better, but micro USB is more than adequate.
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Having had to wait almost four months for a screen protector, and another item that never arrived (fortunately, I was refunded without hassle) I have gone off ordering from China. And if I pay the extra for faster shipping, I may as well buy from Amazon etc.

Now I usually wait until something is on Amazon and Prime (so I know I won't still be ordering something that will come two months later) even if it's more expensive.

I'd pay £5-10 for such an adapter. £30-35 is madness, but then Apple sell a lot of cables in their stores from what I've seen and they're mad prices too. I've always opted for the clones, which also come in the same OTT Apple-esque packaging.

Seriously, nobody cares about packaging for a cable or adapter!!! (By that I include the carefully wrapped plastic and port covers that are more wastes of plastic).

Apple charge stupid prices for cables. Amazon do almost identical cables (Amazonbasics) for a reasonable price.

 

[miami]

I can't readily identify which way is up with that one, so it stays in the drawer as a spare.)

Work it out one time, then tipex?

 

[Clip]

That isn't really clear enough except under good lighting. If there was a USB sign or even an arrow with the sockets conventionally being mounted one way or the other, it would be a lot less mismate prone.

How would you then see arrows in poor lighting?

Ive never had any problems even in the dark knowing which way round they go.

 

[krus_aragon]

Work it out one time, then tipex?

It'd have to be a large lump of tipp-ex to identify it in a tactile way, without looking. Then again, a generous dollop of super-glue may work nicely. Thanks.

 

[dosxuk]

All of my early micro-USB connectors have an embossed USB logo on the top surface (same as all full size USB-A connectors are supposed to), so I suspect it was originally part of the specification. Not had one like that for a few years now though.

The Apple Lightning connectors aren't really that good. Look at the pins of a moderately used cable and you can immediately see which pin is used for power as they're blackened. I've seen several where the track itself has cracked, meaning the connector will only work one way up for a while. It's a nice concept, let down by implementation.

USB-C is starting to appear on devices. It's fully reversible (physically and electrically), is rated to about 5A of current delivery - more than sufficient for any smartphone / tablet / small laptop, and has data rates that match thunderbolt. Apple has already agreed to support it, so it will be interesting to see how they will limit it so people have to buy their cables rather than third party ones (see also wireless charging of the Apple watch - same circuitry as used by most other wireless chargers, but the software has been deliberately changed so they're not compatible).

 

[Dent]

I don't have any real problems with the micro USB connectors even when using them with MHL cables. I do wish that there was a clearly visible standard mark to indicate one side from the other, like the 'A' connectors.

The plug has springs sticking out on one side, that makes it clear enough.