Smartphone makers have clearly started the move towards the new USB Type-C port. And it is evident when you look at flagship smartphones from almost every mainstream manufacturer. Even budget smartphones like the LeEco Le 2 sport this new USB port. So if you do own a phone with the Type C port, it’s time to replace all the microUSB cables in the house with Type C-ones, and that is where the problem lies.
I own a Nexus 6P and getting a USB type A to USB Type-C cable has been an uphill task. While the charger on the device has a Type C to Type C, I still need another cable when connecting the phone to my computer or when connecting to a different charger. The 6P does come with a Type A to Type C cable in the box but it is almost unusable measuring just 12 cms in length. The search for a Type A to Type C cable has been a major pain simply because there weren’t many cables in the market. The ones that were available were sold at ridiculous prices. Then came the whole USB Type-C spec compliance, wherein the cable needs to have a 56K ohm pull-up resistor without which it can possibly blow up anything it is connected to. There is also an app called CheckR that makes it easy to determine the good cable from the bad.
Now that the whole issue around the new connector is explained, let’s get to the cable we have at hand the Mivi Type C cable. The cable comes packed in a small box, which on the back mentions the highlights about this particular cable. For starters, the cable is 6 feet long, no that’s not a typo, the cable is seriously 6 feet long. It is almost twice as long from the others that are currently sold in the market. The cable is nylon braided which makes it more durable and resistant to cracking and chipping. The actual cable is quite secure under the nylon braid and as a result, the cable should outlast the rubber ones.
The long cable makes a 6 inch phone look tiny
While the main cable is all secured, the next point is compatibility. The Mivi Type C is CheckR app compatible and is safe to use. You won’t be risking the charger or the laptop while charging a Type C smartphone with this cable. While we are at it, the cable is capable of transferring 3A of current as long as you have a adapter that can push that kind of power to the smartphone. The length of the cable is another advantage here, it doesn’t make you cling on to the charger. It allows you to be at a comfortable distance from the wall socket which is a good thing.
Sturdy build plus aluminium caps on the connector
The connectors on the cable have aluminium shells which ensure that they don’t get damaged. It was a good move by Mivi to shield the connectors for longevity. The point where the cable meets the connector is also stiffer which is good considering most cables fail at that point. It may have some reinforcement below that nylon braid as it maintains the shape when bent. At the price of Rs 799 the Mivi cable is reasonably priced for a 6ft long cable. We like the product and would recommend it to anyone looking for a Type C cable. We also wish Mivi had a smaller cable on sale for people who don’t need such long cables.
Mivi also sent us their Dual USB car charger for testing with the cable. For starters, this is a smart charger and varies the output based on the device connected to it. The combined output for the device is 3.1A from the 2 USB ports. The charger has a tiny blue light that glows when the charger is plugged into the charging port in the car. The build quality of the charger is good and contact points are big enough to work with all cars irrespective of car make and model. The charging speed is impressive for the charger as it managed to charge the Nexus 6P by 12% in about 20 mins. The speed does drop down a bit when two devices are connected at once but the difference isn’t huge. What makes the device better is the price of the unit, retailing for just Rs 499 it is good value for money.
