All articles tagged with #usb c
The Ploopy Bean is a TrackPoint-inspired standalone mouse that uses a red nub to control the cursor and requires a USB-A to USB-C cable (not wireless). It’s 3D-printed, features four side buttons, a 11 mm travel nub, and 1,000 Hz polling with firmware that supports updates and mods. Preorders began May 6, 2026, with two shipping tiers and a price around $51 before adding the cable.
Anker's 45W, 10,000mAh Nano power bank is on sale for Memorial Day at $46 on Amazon (23% off), boasting a compact 8-ounce body, a built-in retractable USB-C cable, three ports (USB-C and USB-A), pass-through charging, and fast charging for devices like the iPhone 17 Pro Max—though the deal may not last long.
USB-C chargers with USB PD can top up the Switch in handheld mode, but charging in TV/dock mode requires higher power: first-gen Switch needs up to 39W (15V at 2.6A) and a 45W+ brick; Switch 2 needs 54W (20V at 3A) for TV mode, meaning a 60W USB PD charger is ideal for docking. For handheld use, standard PD chargers that provide 5V/9V are fine, but for TV mode you’ll want the official Nintendo power adapter or a higher-wattage brick.
Apple unveils the iPhone Ultra Fold, its first foldable with a short, wide 7.8-inch inner display, USB-C charging, and stereo speakers. The design prioritizes media consumption and portability, but includes quirks like a prominent rear camera bump and unconventional button placement that may polarize buyers as Apple pushes into foldables.
Verge highlights discounted 140W 2-in-1 USB-C cables from Anker (as low as $14.99) and Native Union, which let you charge two devices from one wall outlet with USB 2.0 data speeds and smart power allocation—great for multi-device setups, with related charger deals also featured.
Some iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone Air owners report a charging issue where after the battery fully drains, plugging in a USB-C charger fails to wake the device or show a charging indicator. Reports are surfacing on Reddit and iFixit, but the root cause and scope remain unclear. Apple has not publicly commented, and the problem persists into iOS 26.4.1/26.4.2 for some users. A MagSafe workaround revived one device, suggesting it may be hit-or-miss rather than universal.
Panasonic's ErgoFit RP-TCM325 USB-C wired earbuds cost only $25 and deliver surprisingly rich, balanced sound with good bass when you get a tight seal; they include an inline mic/remote and offer solid voice-calling quality, but lack active noise cancellation and may require trying different tips for a perfect fit, earning a CNET Editors' Choice for value.
Rumors suggest the iPhone 18 Pro Max could carry a 5,100–5,200 mAh battery and the iPhone 18 Pro around 4,100–4,250 mAh, aided by the A20 Pro 2nm chip for improved efficiency, potentially delivering about 2 days of battery life on the Pro Max. Wired charging may hit around 45W (roughly 50% in 20 minutes with a 40W adapter); USB-C remains the port, MagSafe/Qi2 wireless charging persists, and reverse wireless charging remains unlikely. No charger is included in the box; optimal results are with Apple's 40W Dynamic Power Adapter and MagSafe up to 25W.
Amazon has launched a USB-C Ethernet adapter for its Fire TV lineup (notably the second-gen Fire TV Stick HD) to deliver more reliable wired speeds. Hardware supports up to 1,000 Mbps, but the Fire TV Stick HD’s USB-C port is USB 2.0, so real‑world throughput is around 350 Mbps; the accessory offers a plug‑and‑play, affordable upgrade to reduce buffering and improve stability for streaming and other bandwidth-heavy uses, while paving the way for future USB 3.x‑enabled Fire TV devices and not functioning with USB-C PD‑only ports.
Anker’s 160W Prime Charger (three USB-C ports, up to 140W per port, 160W total) can charge a laptop to 50% in about 25 minutes while topping off two other devices. It supports AI-based power distribution and Bluetooth app control, and includes a built-in display. It’s on sale for $99.99 (down from $149.99) during Amazon’s Big Spring Sale, available at Amazon and Anker’s store with code WS24MNV8G7.
Anker’s 45W Smart Display USB-C foldable charger is on sale for $28 at Amazon, about 47% smaller and 36% lighter than typical chargers, with foldable prongs, Auto and Care charging modes, and a real-time display for charging status, plus broad Apple device compatibility.
Samsung’s Galaxy S26 now can act as a USB-C webcam for PCs and laptops, letting you use its rear (primary or ultrawide) or front cameras for video calls with a High Quality Mode that offers higher bitrate but can heat the phone. The feature follows Google's native Android webcam support introduced with Android 14 QPR1 and improvements in Android 15, but Samsung has only just brought it to the S26 lineup (likely via One UI 8.5) and it’s not yet on older Galaxy devices. You can even charge the phone while plugged in during use.
A budget USB-C to USB-OTG adapter (JSAUX) lets smartphones act as USB hosts, connecting keyboards, mice, flash drives and other peripherals to turn a phone into a portable workstation—great for avoiding laptop lugging; the two-pack is $8.99 on Amazon.
The iPad Air M4 uses an 8-core CPU/9-core GPU M4 chip with 12GB RAM and up to 1TB storage, plus Wi‑Fi 7 and 5G, delivering laptop-like performance in 11-inch or 13-inch bodies. Priced from £599, it pairs long battery life, a sharp display, and expansive app support with iPadOS 26.3’s improved multitasking, making it the best premium tablet for most Apple buyers. Downsides include its high price, lack of Face ID and multi-user support, and a base storage of 128GB.
MacBook Neo has two USB-C ports with different speeds: the left port (USB 3, up to 10 Gb/s) supports external displays, while the right port (USB 2, 480 Mb/s) does not. macOS will alert you if a display is plugged into the slower port, as the laptop only supports one external display up to 4K at 60 Hz. Pre-orders are underway with US pricing from $599 ($499 for students), and the device launches March 11.