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by odensc 1009 days ago
It's not an issue specific to USB-C. There are also plenty of USB-A/Micro-USB cables that don't have the data pins connected. Typically this is only an issue with super cheap electronics that only use USB-C as a connector for power and don't really follow the spec.

I haven't heard of a phone coming with a charge-only cable. Especially because that cable is usually used for syncing to a computer (iOS)/transferring data from an old phone (Android).

2 comments

Even "power" USB C cables can do data transfer. They just do so at USB 2.0 speeds (like a lightning connector would).

Finding a truly power-only USB C cable is difficult but not impossible. It's a special order.

I'd love one for the airport, so I didn't have to trust that the public charging points weren't hacking my machines on behalf of the local government or criminal syndicate or whatever.
USB-C to C cables to spec need the data pins for USB 2 and to support 30W. Beyond that it is cable-specific.

Unless an included cable came with a hard disk, monitor or eGPU, you can be reasonably sure it is USB 2 speeds. If it didn’t ship with a computer either, it is probably 30W max.

60 watts. The baseline is 20 volts at 3 amps.
Ahh you are right!