[Nexus 5X Accessories] Magnus_CA:
Don't be fooled by 'Charging Rapidly' -my experience w/ 3rd party USB A->C & chargers

The 5X is my first USB type C device and first device with Charge / Rapid charge capability. I knew 1 charger wasn't going to cut it so prior to my 5X arriving I retooled my home, office, and car with new chargers and cables. I set out to retool my home, office, and car with new chargers and adapter cables. For the chargers I looked for anything that was certified by Qualcomm as Quick Charge 2.0 compliant. Most chargers come with a USB type A to micro USB adapter by default so I knew I needed adapter cables as well. I figured any USB 3.0 or 3.1 compatible Type A to Type C cable would be fine if it was made well and didn't break the bank. Benson Leung has enlightened us that all USB Type A to C adapters aren't made the same and my experience supports his. Below I've included the combinations of chargers and cables I've tried with my 5X and my observations.

I'm not an EE and don't have access to fancy measurement devices that Benson may have access to so my account is a very unscientific one. The biggest takeaway I have to share is that seeing 'Charging Rapidly' on your lock screen is not the best indicator of a fast charge rate nor does 'Charging' indicate a slow charge rate. It's pretty clear to me the conditions in which 'Charging Rapidly' shows up have little to do with charge rate at all. I'd love to know in detail what the firmware is seeing (or not seeing) when 'Charging' vs 'Charging Rapidly' shows up. If anyone knows please chime in.

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Software Used:

Ampere

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.gombosdev.ampere&hl=en

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Chargers Tested:

USB Type-C Car Charger,Tronsmart 36W 2 Ports Rapid Car Charger with Quick Charge 2.0 Technology.Attached USB Type C Cord for Nexus 6P, Nexus 5X (Not Compatible with Google Pixel)

by Tronsmart

Link: http://amzn.com/B0146FK3G0

Tronsmart® Quick Charge 2.0 Wall Charger

by Tronsmart

Link: http://amzn.com/B00Y8994SS

FosPower Bolt [Qualcomm Certified] Q16 16.2W 1-Port Foldable Travel Wall Charger with Qualcomm Quick Charge 2.0 for Apple, Samsung, Motorola, HTC, Nokia, LG, Sony, Android Devices & More - Black

by FosPower

Link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0157C5YKG?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=od_aui_detailpages01

USB Wall Charger,Tronsmart Quick Charge 2.0 42W 3 Ports Turbo Wall Travel Charger for Galaxy S6 Edge Plus, S6, Note 5, Sony Xperia Z5, Asus Zenfone 2 (Included a 20AWG 6ft Micro USB Cable)

by Tronsmart

Link: http://amzn.com/B00ZORW23C

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Cables Tested:

Type C, iOrange-E™ 6.6 Ft (2M) Braided Cable with Reversible Connector for New Macbook 12 inch, ChromeBook Pixel, Nokia N1 Tablet, Asus Zen AiO and Other Devices with Type C USB, Black

by iOrange-E

Link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B010VFFU1W?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s01

New USB 3.1 Type-C Male to Type-A Male - Various Lengths

by BuyCheapCables

Link: http://amzn.com/B00V20LW2W

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Cables on order:

FRiEQ Hi-speed USB 3.1 Type C Cable - 3.3ft/1m - Micro USB 3.1 Type C Male to Standard Type A USB 3.0 Male Data Cable for Apple New Macbook 12 Inch, Nokia N1, Tablet, Mobile Phone and Other Type-C Supported Devices - Black

by FRiEQ

Link: http://amzn.com/B010EXRTXI

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Data:

The last two rows really took me by surprise. I expected the i-Orange cable to indicate 'Charging Rapidly' with all chargers but it didn't yet it's charge rate was nearly doulbe that of a cable and charger combination that reported 'Charging Rapidly'. So the BuyCheapCables USB cables are going back. While they are well made their charge rate doesn't measure up. I'm sure there's better chargers out there but I'm cutting my losses. I'll add the data from the FriEQ cables when I get them this weekend as well as the charging stats from the Tronsmart car charger, which I think Benson stated is not on his good list.