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Googler says OnePlus' USB Type-C adapter is not safe for latest Nexus devices
Update, November 16: in a reply to an inquiry by Gadgets 360, OnePlus stated the following:
“The OnePlus USB Type-C cable and adapter are compliant with USB 2.0 and Type-C 1.0 protocols. They can safely be used with the OnePlus 2 to transfer data and charge the phone.”
Editor’s note: we’ve updated this post to clarify the issue. The accessories in question are allegedly not safe for devices other than the OnePlus 2.
Original post, November 15: OnePlus has been a supporter of the new USB Type-C standard. Their latest flagship (OnePlus 2) is one of the few devices touting the new port, and their cables seem to be very well made, as well as affordable. Should you go with these nifty accessories, though? Google employee Benson Leung claims that is not always the case.
In fact, depending on your device, OnePlus’ USB-Type C adapter may damage the charger, hub or PC USB port. According to Leung, owners of devices that support the USB Type C 1.1 specification, including the Chromebook Pixel, Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X should be the ones worried.
To clarify, the OnePlus 2 has a USB Type C port, but the connection is actually USB 2.0, not USB 3.1. The phone (and its accessories) support the USB Type C 1.0 protocol, but, according to Leung they do not support USB Type C 1.1.
In other words, OnePlus accessories appear to be designed to work safely with the OnePlus 2, but not with the Nexus 6P, Nexus 5X and the Chromebook Pixel. This discrepancy may prove to be damaging, and very expensive to the consumer.
While not many of us have heard of Benson Leung, he has been really busy trying to make USB Type-C accessory manufacturers stay true to the standard. In fact, he warned us about cheap USB Type-C cables recently, and he has been called the “USB Vigilante” by PC Mag. What some of these cable makers are doing won’t only make your device act weird, it could be downright dangerous!
In addition to telling us about these bad cables through his Google+ account, he has been reviewing other cables on Amazon and is even contemplating starting a blog where he can document all his tests. What do you guys say? I would definitely follow his website!