One Googler refuses to recommend buying the HTC 10 or LG G5, and here’s why
Benson Leung is still reviewing cables, folks. The USB Type-C crusader has been on a tear to highlight the cables that properly implement the USB Type-C spec (and to completely down the ones which don’t).
In response to a comment on one of is recent cable reviews, Leung — who is employed by Google, one of the companies with a heavy hand in creating the USB Type-C spec — revealed that he would never recommend folks buy the LG G5 or HTC 10. It’s not that he thinks they’re the worst phones on the planet, if that’s what you were thinking.
Instead, he refers to both devices’ use of USB Type-C 3.1 ports as well as Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0. The reason this is a problem is because Quick Charge 3.0 increases charging speeds by charging at 9V-12V, but as Leung explained back in November the USB Type-C spec doesn’t support proprietary charging technology above 5V. This is precisely the reason why the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P don’t use Quick Charge despite having the chipsets to do so.
Leung says it’s possible the devices do support fast 15V 3A charging using a proper USB Type-C cable, though your mileage most certainly will vary and it’s on you to take responsibility if something goes wrong when you’re using any cables not supplied by the OEM.
The only question is whether there are long-term implications for the HTC 10 and LG G5, and whether their use of Quick Charge 3.0 can eventually cause the sort of damage out-of-spec USB Type-C technology can cause down the line. In the meantime, someone at Samsung is taking a deep sigh knowing they won’t have to worry about any of this because they’re still rocking the tried-and-true microUSB.