Your phone doesn't work with every USB-C cable—these 4 inconsistent specs are to blame

Every time you plug a new USB-C cable into your phone, you don't actually know how well it will work. Credit: Ismar Hrnjicevic / How-To GeekCredit: Bertel King / How-To GeekCredit: Ismar Hrnjicevic / How-To GeekCredit: Bertel King / How-To GeekCredit: Ismar Hrnjicevic / How-To GeekClose Credit: Ismar Hrnjicevic / How-To GeekCredit: Bertel King / How-To GeekCredit: Ismar Hrnjicevic / How-To GeekCredit: Bertel King / How-To GeekCredit: Ismar Hrnjicevic / How-To GeekThere is a standard set of power specifications for USB itself. This means that you'll always get some amount of power from a USB cable and port if you plug in your phone. The problem is that while these phones usually still support USB PD, some manufacturers don't support the fastest level of PD they could. Credit: Daniel Bader / How-to GeekCredit: Daniel Bader / How-to GeekCredit: Tim Brookes / How-To GeekCredit: Daniel Bader / How-to GeekCredit: Daniel Bader / How-to GeekClose Credit: Daniel Bader / How-to GeekCredit: Daniel Bader / How-to GeekCredit: Tim Brookes / How-To GeekCredit: Daniel Bader / How-to GeekCredit: Daniel Bader / How-to GeekThe phone you see above is the 2025 iPhone Air.