Nomad Launches New 240W ChargeKey USB-C Cable

[MacRumors]

Nomad today announced the launch of an updated version of its ChargeKey portable charger, with the new model gaining support for 240W charging and 10Gb/s data transfer speeds.

The USB-C to USB-C ChargeKey can fast charge an iPhone, iPad, MacBook Pro, Android device, and more at up to 240W. The prior version of the ChargeKey was limited to 60W charging speeds and USB 2.0 data transfer speeds, so the new model offers notable improvements for MacBook users and those who need a portable cable for data transfers.

Like the previous ChargeKey, the 240W model has a braided nylon cable with electroplated zinc cable housings. It's compact and small enough to fit on a keychain, and the two cable tips attach to one another magnetically when not in use.

Nomad is selling the ChargeKey for $25, and it is available from the Nomad website starting today.

Article Link: Nomad Launches New 240W ChargeKey USB-C Cable

 

[dragoon2745]

This wouldn't hurt the battery to charge a device like the iPhone at 240w as opposed to what it would normally charge at on its own like 35w?

 

[anshuvorty]

Why would someone buy this vs a longer cable?

 

[gco212]

So this is just a high quality USB-C cable designed for on the fly usage due to its form factor, right? I actually kind of love the idea...

 

[angle]

This wouldn't hurt the battery to charge a device like the iPhone at 240w as opposed to what it would normally charge at on its own like 35w?

The phone negotiates the power it needs to charge. It won't accept the larger amount and just takes in what it needs. This will give you more information at a rather technical level:

How does a USB 2.0 Wall Charger negotiate current output?

I'm trying to use a mobile phone charger for my projects, and want a high current output. I have read this, however my measurements show something else. Here is a link to the Battery Charging

electronics.stackexchange.com

 

[klasma]

Why would someone buy this vs a longer cable?

 

[commander.data]

The most unique feature of this charging cable is probably support for 10Gb/s data transfer speeds. It's pretty rare to see a high wattage charging cable that also supports high speed data transfer.

 

[delsoul]

This wouldn't hurt the battery to charge a device like the iPhone at 240w as opposed to what it would normally charge at on its own like 35w?

It’s capable of up to 240w for devices that can take it, but the iPhone will self modulate to charge at the rate fastest possible for it.

 

[Chiromac81]

What would be a use case for this??

 

[apparatchik]

The most unique feature of this charging cable is probably support for 10Gb/s data transfer speeds. It's pretty rare to see a high wattage charging cable that also supports high speed data transfer.

It is quite a low speed is it not? it seems like an afterthought, a day later and a dollar short, so to speak, for 10Gbps they could have stayed at USB2 speeds. 10Gbps will throttle most external drives, and is quite far from what USB 4 (40Gbps) supports, it doesn't really open any new applications.

OTOH, 240W seems overkill. I bet most users would have preferred a more balanced 60W -> 100/140W, 40Gbps combo than what they are delivering.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

This wouldn't hurt the battery to charge a device like the iPhone at 240w as opposed to what it would normally charge at on its own like 35w?

I think people are trying to do the lightning rod method these days: stand out in a thunderstorm holding a long copper rod routed to a USB-C connection. If you survive the strike, apparently the phone is fully charged in 0.23 seconds. This is called the new literal Lightning connector.

 

[Crowbot]

I'm not sure I would want to jam a high-quality cable with connectors with my keys in my pocket. But it's a cute idea.

 

[roland.g]

I'm not sure I have a real need for anything this short. And I'm still using a Lightning based iPhone because of so much Lightning based cabling, etc., so this wouldn't be great for my phone, however, I do like the keychain portability aspect. Nice design.

 

[MrRom92]

I would consider this just on the basis of being a short high speed cable

 

[ziggie216]

Other than laptops (MacBook / PC), is there any other portable devices that would need more than 60W / 100W? Another thing is that I cant see myself using such a short cable to charge my laptop.

 

[F23]

this is so short it's basically useless

 

[Eorlas]

So basically utilizing existing unwanted A17 pro chips for iPad mini 7. Genius and good for the environment. So basically we’re buying e-waste

Why would someone buy this vs a longer cable?

What would be a use case for this??

this is so short it's basically useless

ive had many circumstances where only a minimal amount of cable was necessary. shorter cables are available on amazon already, this one gets to hang around on a keychain.

 

[Eorlas]

I'm not sure I would want to jam a high-quality cable with connectors with my keys in my pocket. But it's a cute idea.

"jam" - your walmart jean pocket would fall apart at the seams before this cable would give way if you're this aggressive about putting things in your pocket.

 

[erinsarah]

What would be a use case for this??

You have a phone, and you have a battery pack. Neither is Magsafe compatible. You're sitting in the airport or in a meeting, wall port not available. If you only had a cable somewhere that would connect the two, without the unsightliness of a curled up lightning cable getting caught on your arm rest every time you move around. As luck would have it, you've got this handy dandy cable you always keep attached to a hook in your backpack.

 

[ss2cire]

You have a phone, and you have a battery pack. Neither is Magsafe compatible. You're sitting in the airport or in a meeting, wall port not available. If you only had a cable somewhere that would connect the two, without the unsightliness of a curled up lightning cable getting caught on your arm rest every time you move around. As luck would have it, you've got this handy dandy cable you always keep attached to a hook in your backpack.

Must rope roll a 16 or better on your D20 (Edit: stupid auto-correct....)

 

[Veinticinco]

As with pretty much everything NOMAD, like the product, hate the price.

 

[Veinticinco]

Too short and the keyring carry use here is of absolutely no benefit to me.

I have an Orbitkey cable pouch where I keep all my cables and ephemera.

 

[Crowbot]

"jam" - your walmart jean pocket would fall apart at the seams before this cable would give way if you're this aggressive about putting things in your pocket.

I'm thinking more about dirt and dust getting into the connector. They should have included a plastic cover for the USB connectors.

I wear Levis©️.

 

[commander.data]

It is quite a low speed is it not? it seems like an afterthought, a day later and a dollar short, so to speak, for 10Gbps they could have stayed at USB2 speeds. 10Gbps will throttle most external drives, and is quite far from what USB 4 (40Gbps) supports, it doesn't really open any new applications.

OTOH, 240W seems overkill. I bet most users would have preferred a more balanced 60W -> 100/140W, 40Gbps combo than what they are delivering.

I doubt most external drives people have are faster than 10 Gbps. Even for new drives, 10 Gbps SSDs seem the most common, along with large capacity 5 Gbps HDDs for backup, and USB flash drives which are generally 5 Gbps. For faster SSDs, 20 Gbps USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 still seem more common than USB4 or Thunderbolt SSDs and Macs don't support 20 Gbps USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 so those SSDs are going to be capped at 10 Gbps anyways because of the computer and not the cable. Likewise the iPhone 15/16 Pro also only support 10 Gbps. A 10 Gbps charging cable isn't future-proof, but seems sufficient to meet the moment.

 

[mpetrides]

I'm not sure I would want to jam a high-quality cable with connectors with my keys in my pocket. But it's a cute idea.

That was my first thought. I might reconsider if the tips had removable covers, although I suspect I'd manage to lose those in a nanosecond.