Micro-USB and new tech as we approach 2026...
Discussion
Two devices I've looked at (pocket DAB radio and dedicated Garmin GPS/maps viewer) and both are being sold with Micro-USB.
Are these companies selling really old stock, or just too lazy to update the design?
Both very capable bits of hardware but the micro-USB has annoyed me when everything else I own is USB-C, so I've decided to not buy either of them...
Are these companies selling really old stock, or just too lazy to update the design?
Both very capable bits of hardware but the micro-USB has annoyed me when everything else I own is USB-C, so I've decided to not buy either of them...
NaePasaran said:
Two devices I've looked at (pocket DAB radio and dedicated Garmin GPS/maps viewer) and both are being sold with Micro-USB.
Are these companies selling really old stock, or just too lazy to update the design?
Both very capable bits of hardware but the micro-USB has annoyed me when everything else I own is USB-C, so I've decided to not buy either of them...
Probably older models in ranges that are only refreshed every 3-5 years (as opposed to phones, watches, etc).Are these companies selling really old stock, or just too lazy to update the design?
Both very capable bits of hardware but the micro-USB has annoyed me when everything else I own is USB-C, so I've decided to not buy either of them...
at CHristmas I bought my daighter a very child friendly "grown up" digital camera. Does the job really well, easy to use and clearly made in China, bloody mini ueb on that bad boy. Luckily came with a cable as think i now only have 1 or 2 laying around. Even got one that's hard wired to a plug. USB C and fast charging is very much a base criteria if buying stuff now.
Something like this is good over here for some time to come:
https://www.amazon.de/-/en/gp/product/B0DWJSGQHC/r...
Or in your case, maybe just this strapped to existing cable:
https://www.amazon.de/-/en/gp/product/B07MYWT4GK/r...
https://www.amazon.de/-/en/gp/product/B0DWJSGQHC/r...
Or in your case, maybe just this strapped to existing cable:
https://www.amazon.de/-/en/gp/product/B07MYWT4GK/r...
bigpriest said:
It's annoying having a Micro USB socket but won't a £3 adapter sort it, if you like the product?
THE major catch with micro USB, and its certain to be exasperated but adding an adapter unless on a long cable, is the physical weakness of the ports. ONLY devices with micro USB that I own have failed / failing ports.JBL Charge speaker - own 2, both ports failing - need wiggling to charge.
Smartwatch charger, - needs wiggling/holding at an angle to charge
Head torch, see above.
Its just a s
t design, and that includes that fact its hard to see which way round to use it.I have a few devices which supposedly charge via USB-C, but they won't work with the cables I use for phones - have to use the short, cheap cables which came with the devices.
These are mainly cheap torches and head torches from AliExpress/TikTok shop (as a dog and horse husband, I spend half my winter evenings outside, so need a few lights)
These are mainly cheap torches and head torches from AliExpress/TikTok shop (as a dog and horse husband, I spend half my winter evenings outside, so need a few lights)
dundarach said:
It puts me off now if they're still using sodding micro usb, it was god awful when new!
Micro USB was fine but I struggled to see the point at the time. Supposedly it has more resilience for frequent plug/unplug operations than Mini USB had. Then it took off when it got mandated for telephone charging in the EU.I like USB C but it has some annoying issues. First is the maybe/maybe not support for PD charging on devices with a USB C port for charging. And if you plug a non-PD capable device into a PD charger (most USB C chargers are PD compliant but some still aren't), it simply won't charge as the PD charger expects to negotiate a charging voltage. Then there's whether or not the port will support video and/or bi-directional power(where appropriate).
And then of course, the USB C<->USB C cable may or may not support PD, may or may not support video. maybe won't even support USB3 data rates.
Griffith4ever said:
THE major catch with micro USB, and its certain to be exasperated but adding an adapter unless on a long cable, is the physical weakness of the ports. ONLY devices with micro USB that I own have failed / failing ports.
JBL Charge speaker - own 2, both ports failing - need wiggling to charge.
Smartwatch charger, - needs wiggling/holding at an angle to charge
Head torch, see above.
Its just a st design, and that includes that fact its hard to see which way round to use it.
Micro USB was supposed to be better than previous port types for resilience when it comes to frequent plug/unplugs.JBL Charge speaker - own 2, both ports failing - need wiggling to charge.
Smartwatch charger, - needs wiggling/holding at an angle to charge
Head torch, see above.
Its just a s
t design, and that includes that fact its hard to see which way round to use it.I've actually had the worst experience with USB C for resilience as I've had two phones where the USB C port went flaky .. probably exacerbated by using them for android auto in the car where there was always some pressure on the connector.
Now, I always look for Qi charging on phones and for tablets I look to see if there's a dedicated stand which uses something like pogo pins to charge whilst docked. Samsung usually offer this on Galaxy Tabs. I also buy the magnetic connectors that you can get to avoid wear and tear .. I have one on my PS5 dualsense and it works great. Also on my mostly-docked Steamdeck for when I take it off the dock.
Lucas Ayde said:
Griffith4ever said:
THE major catch with micro USB, and its certain to be exasperated but adding an adapter unless on a long cable, is the physical weakness of the ports. ONLY devices with micro USB that I own have failed / failing ports.
JBL Charge speaker - own 2, both ports failing - need wiggling to charge.
Smartwatch charger, - needs wiggling/holding at an angle to charge
Head torch, see above.
Its just a st design, and that includes that fact its hard to see which way round to use it.
Micro USB was supposed to be better than previous port types for resilience when it comes to frequent plug/unplugs.JBL Charge speaker - own 2, both ports failing - need wiggling to charge.
Smartwatch charger, - needs wiggling/holding at an angle to charge
Head torch, see above.
Its just a s
t design, and that includes that fact its hard to see which way round to use it.I've actually had the worst experience with USB C for resilience as I've had two phones where the USB C port went flaky .. probably exacerbated by using them for android auto in the car where there was always some pressure on the connector.
Now, I always look for Qi charging on phones and for tablets I look to see if there's a dedicated stand which uses something like pogo pins to charge whilst docked. Samsung usually offer this on Galaxy Tabs. I also buy the magnetic connectors that you can get to avoid wear and tear .. I have one on my PS5 dualsense and it works great. Also on my mostly-docked Steamdeck for when I take it off the dock.
I've had two laptops whose USB-C ports became too loose to be reliable.
Never had any issues with micro-USB as the connectors more positively locate (though admittedly they weren't used for charging laptops!).
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