USB-C has a long list of positive features: it’s reversible, it replaces a wide range of cables and it allows for fast charging. However, the standard isn’t yet perfect; it’s still developing. Today two pieces of USB-C news broke which should improve the standard, so let’s take a look at them together. First up: a new Digital Audio spec, then Certified accessories.
USB-C Digital Audio
One of the benefits of USB-C is that it can be used for so much. The same connector can be used for video, audio, data and charging. That means it’s being positioned as a digital upgrade for the venerable 3.5mm jack. Most people seem to oppose the removal of 3.5mm, but it’s already happening. Chinese giant LeEco were the first to remove it from their phones, with Motorola doing the same with their flagship Moto Z and Moto Z Force. Apple is also heading down the same route, and will likely announce new iPhones without a 3.5mm port in September.
In order to assuage the fears of 3.5mm fans, Intel is pushing a new standard for USB-C audio and re-iterated some of the advantages of switching to USB-C. Most obviously, removing the 3.5mm jack and the DAC from a phone saves space, allowing for thinner phones or allowing the space to be used for something else — like a larger battery. The connector can also deliver pre-processed sound, allowing noise cancellation, digital surround or other techs. USB-C can also adjust the amount of power it’s using, allowing it to work out about the same as 3.5mm in terms of battery life.
Of course, if you want to charge your phone and use your headphones at the same time, you’ll have to rely on wireless charging or a USB-C adapter that has room for both a 3.5mm jack and a passthrough USB-C port. Expect USB-C adoption to be a long-held battle, regardless of Intel’s efforts.
USB-C Certified Accessories
However, the higher amount of charge going through these cables demands they’re made of higher quality components, and some cables and adapters have found to be lacking. Thankfully, an industry-wide solution is coming soon, courtesy of the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF).
Currently, USB-C cables, chargers and adapters are tested only be enthusiasts like Google’s Benson Leung or retailers like us to ensure that they meet the USB-C specification and are therefore safe to use. In the future though, there’ll be a USB-C accessory certification to let consumers know which products that are tested and found to meet the standard. Once certified, products can display this nifty logo to show they’ve passed.
Manufacturers are being encouraged to send in their USB-C cables and other accessories to be certified, and if the programme takes off it could be a nice and easy way of ensuring that your chosen accessory will work fully. For now though, nothing has changed — we’ll continue to test all of our USB-C accessories ourselves, so you can still buy with peace of mind. But in the future, if you see that USB Certified logo, then you’ll know the score.
Wrapping up
So there we have it – two news morsels for USB-C. What do you think? Let us know in the comments below, or write to us on twitter.com/mobilefun!