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Fast Chargers May Require USB-C Authentication to Work at Full Speed With 2018 iPhones

bennyf said:
Apple shouldn't roll their own, if auth is part of the USB-C spec then great. If it's not part of the spec Apple shouldn't do it. If it needs to be added to the spec, Apple has enough leverage to make that happen. But any cert fees should go to the consortium not Apple.
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The article may require a re-read. It's pretty clear C-AUTH certification comes from the USB-IF.

kemal said:
There will be the MFI chip in the lightning end of the cable that will identify the cable as being able to handle the charging current. Then the phone will handshake with the charger to identify it as genuine Apple high speed phone charger.
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The charger doesn't have to be genuine Apple. It has to be C-AUTH certified. Two different things.

haruhiko said:
A very bad move by Apple if they take away the ability to fast charge with all my USB-c chargers. My iPad Pros and iPhone X have been charging well with all those chargers. They are not cheap (both in quality and price) chargers at all.
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Apple is part of the USB-IF. In fact, they are on the Board of Directors. Apple's chargers are already C-AUTH certified.
 
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If the only authorisation needed is USB-C Power Delivery then the existing USB-C chargers should still work. But it's Apple...
 
logain said:
Ah, yes, security reasons. Specifically, the security of being able to charge $10 / piece for an encryption key.
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If only you had read the article :)

bennyf said:
Apple shouldn't roll their own, if auth is part of the USB-C spec then great.
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A casual reading of the article confirms that C-AUTH is indeed not an Apple tech.

haruhiko said:
A very bad move by Apple if they take away the ability to fast charge with all my USB-c chargers. My iPad Pros and iPhone X have been charging well with all those chargers. They are not cheap (both in quality and price) chargers at all.
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If they are good chargers they should support C-AUTH already.
 
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cyanite said:
If only you had read the article :)



A casual reading of the article confirms that C-AUTH is indeed not an Apple tech.



If they are good chargers they should support C-AUTH already.
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Does that mean that the 29W Apple charger is supported?
 
TheRealTVGuy said:
After the reports of fires from cheap Chinese knock-offs, I can see how this would be a good thing!
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Friend's cousin ended up in the hospital from a cheap Apple knock-off charger. It's just not worth it for the couple dollars you save. The power delivery from Apple-original and high-quality power sources is also far more standardized.
 
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Andres Cantu said:
If they don’t and iPhones start exploading because of possible uncertified shady chargers, then Apple gets the heat as well.
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People have been fast-charging iPhones using third-party chargers since the release of the iPhone 6 Plus in 2014, without a 2.5 W limit because the chargers aren't certified. Where are all the reports of exploding iPhones?
 
FelixDerKater said:
So, does this mean USB-C only? No Lightning would be a win. Otherwise, the cable itself would authenticate.
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It does not. The charger being discussed in the article is most likely going to be USB-C female. The cable will most likely be USB-C male to Lightning, not USB-C to USB-C

deleder2k said:
Does that mean that the 29W Apple charger is supported?
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Isn't the 29W charger USB-A? This is about USB-C.

OldSchoolMacGuy said:
Friend's cousin ended up in the hospital from a cheap Apple knock-off charger. It's just not worth it for the couple dollars you save. The power delivery from Apple-original and high-quality power sources is also far more standardized.
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This has nothing to do with Apple chargers. This is about USB-C Auth certified chargers. That could easily be a 3rd party charger. Could also be a cheap one... as long as it meets the cert.
 
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As usual, Apple enforces another method to isolate their customer base and force them to buy and utilize only Apple hardware. Apple has made a tremendous effort to ensure that their customers shall never utilize or even consider any third party accessories or components without suffering degradation. An ultimate method, perhaps in the future, when third party devices are utilized or the sealed cases are opened the Apple device self-destructs.
 
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MadDawg2020 said:
Or better yet - DO NOT buy chargers from Amazon - the majority of companies claiming to be compliant are in fact counterfeit, fraudulent and fake! And good luck doing any returns!
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The sad part is even Walmart cares more about consumer safety than Amazon. Anything electrical from Walmart, Best Buy, Target, etc. must carry a UL or equivalent certification (Intertek ETL, TUV, etc.) by corporate policy. Most of those Anker and Aukey chargers lack this, not to mention counterfeits.
 
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Doesn’t fast charging already require a USB-C adapter and USB-C to Lightning cable on iPhone X? How is this different? I’m just glad there’s rumors of them throwing this stuff in the box so I can stop being so confused about how to use a feature on one of their phones.
 
I see the day is coming when connecting any "unapproved" device to an Apple product will have consequences in a warranty claim. "Tsk, tsk, Apple customer, after reading the device logs it looks like your XYZ product was attached to a non-approved device on 10/09/2018, at 213407GMT. Your only option for service is a full replacement -- at your expense..."
 
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OldSchoolMacGuy said:
Seems you didn't bother to read the article but the requirement of C-AUTH is something set forth by the USB Implementers Forum who create USB technology, not Apple. In this case, Apple wouldn't receive a licensing fee.
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Could be- I'm no expert... just basing that idea on so many other decisions that seem much more about the money than what was spun as the rationalizations.

And I DID read the article. Of course the spin has to be good and have some room for logic (look up early ads for stuff like Asbestos to see logical spin for a deadly product). But then I have to think: why did this wait so long if it's strictly about "security," and how will the implementation work? For example, will the Lightning end of the cable have something to do here?

I recall early Lightning cables suddenly required replacement when Apple turned on a "this cable is not authorized" feature. So now chargers- and not just the "cheap Chinese chargers"- may do the same... chargers that have charged just fine for upwards of months or years suddenly "not authorized." And how do they get authorized? From an independent body associated with USB or does Apple have some skin in this game somewhere?

Then again, I expect the same kind of scenario to play out with wireless charging pads. Perhaps it's too much cynicism but I personally feel like too much innovation is focused on the nickel & diming end of the things... great for corporate profits, etc while consumers opt to "buy anyway" but doing next to nothing for consumer utility... if not outright burdening/complicating utility.

But I'll grant you: this could certainly be a pristine move, free of underlying for-more-profit motivators (and I'll even hope that the reason given is the actual reason). I don't know.
 
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konqerror said:
The sad part is even Walmart cares more about consumer safety than Amazon. Anything electrical from Walmart, Best Buy, Target, etc. must carry a UL or equivalent certification (Intertek ETL, TUV, etc.) by corporate policy. Most of those Anker and Aukey chargers lack this, not to mention counterfeits.
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I'll be damned, my Anker doesn't. I'll have to check the box when I get home.

Edit: It has TUV on it.
 
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dantroline said:
But Android phones already have fast charging via USB-C. How fast are we talking? Explosively fast?
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Considering my Razer has better battery life than my iPhone 7+ did and charges from just about empty to full in about an hour....

Not sure how much faster we want / can with existing battery tech ....
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profets said:
I don’t think this is the popular opinion - but I agree with what’s being said in the article.

I feel it’s best to be safe when it comes to power and charging.

Just my use pattern, but I only ever charge my iPhone overnight, and 5W is more than enough for that daily recharge.

I can absolutely appreciate faster charging, but I think one should be careful with chargers and cables for this use. I do think Apple should have decently priced USB-C fast chargers for those who’d like to make use of it.
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I have actually run into more crappy chargers / cables on the iPhone side than the USB-C side.
I use both.
 
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