Anyone got the skinny on Samsung MicroUSB cables?

[phucheneh]

My new phone will only charge with the included cable. I have tried a lot of others, and I get zero. I've had heard of data issues, but this was just straight-up nothing. Phone acts like the cable isn't there.

Googling it, I find tons of conflicting info. Something about the connector phsyically being different. Something about a couple wires being reversed. Some stuff saying to short two pins together. Nothing concrete, and lots of 'my cables work fine, you guys are dumb' stuff thrown in.

Surely there must be a concrete answer here. Samsung has done something different with the MicroUSB on some phones, but I don't know what it is.

I have a Captivate Glide, which, AFAIK is basically an S2? I don't think the S's had problems, and nor did one of the others; either S2 or S3. But there are a big buttpile of reports on this with S4's.

I'm gonna dissect a cable or two and look into it more. If anyone had good info that will save me the trouble, that would be awesome. I know about the different charging speeds; my issue here is simply 'charging' versus 'pretends that no cable is connected.'

 

[ImDonly1]

My S4 charges with the supplied cable and other eBay/monoprice cables I have laying around so I don't think Samsung is blocking it. I have not heard of anything about the S4 not charging with aftermarket cables.

The only difference is the charging rate. The cheap/thin gauge $1 cables only support charging at a lower mA (slower charging).

 

[s44]

The connector is often positioned so that, especially with a case, you can't have a big blob of plastic on the cable end or it won't go in far enough.

The shorting thing is on the charger, I think, not on the cable. And that only affects whether it charges as AC (whatever the max rate is) or as USB (.5A max).

Buy some of these...

The cheap/thin gauge $1 cables only support charging at a lower mA (slower charging).

Hilariously, when connected to my 2A stock S4 charger, even the super-thin/cheap Samsung cables charge at the full rate. I guess that's why they're so short, though.

 

[phucheneh]

That's what I was trying to explain- it's not just a charging rate difference. Lots of people with newer Samsungs (newer models than mine, generally) are reporting that they cannot do anything with most cables. It's very inconsistent, but the general trend seems to be that Samsung cables work, and cables from some of the other manufacturers (HTC got mentioned a lot) work. But for those with the issues, no generic cable will charge at any speed. Seems really wonky.

I'm starting to suspect that it is simply a matter of proper pin engagement. The stock cable inserts very firmly, while the generic slide in kinda lazily. I think one or more pins is not making contact. I would attempt to pry pins on the cable side up a little bit, if I thought I actually could without ruining the connector.

 

[shortylickens]

i've had my note 2 for a while now, the thing has issues charging and wont pass data. I might try getting a new Samsung cable.

Seems silly to not use a good phone cuz of that. Next time around I may not bother with Samsung.

 

[spacejamz]

My S3 and Note 3 charge with non-OEM cables....

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

My new phone will only charge with the included cable. I have tried a lot of others, and I get zero. I've had heard of data issues, but this was just straight-up nothing. Phone acts like the cable isn't there.

Googling it, I find tons of conflicting info. Something about the connector phsyically being different. Something about a couple wires being reversed. Some stuff saying to short two pins together. Nothing concrete, and lots of 'my cables work fine, you guys are dumb' stuff thrown in.

Surely there must be a concrete answer here. Samsung has done something different with the MicroUSB on some phones, but I don't know what it is.

I have a Captivate Glide, which, AFAIK is basically an S2? I don't think the S's had problems, and nor did one of the others; either S2 or S3. But there are a big buttpile of reports on this with S4's.

I'm gonna dissect a cable or two and look into it more. If anyone had good info that will save me the trouble, that would be awesome. I know about the different charging speeds; my issue here is simply 'charging' versus 'pretends that no cable is connected.'

Do you have a case? Maybe your phone is damaged. I've charged with all sorts of cables.

 

[AznAnarchy99]

I've had random problems charging with different cables before. My old GN would never charge with an LG cable or a few BlackBerry ones but would with any other type.

It's weird.

 

[Chocu1a]

Never had any issues using after market or other brand micro usb cables. Galaxy Nexus, GS3, Note 2, Nexus 4, & Note 3. I don't think I have actually used any of the oem cables that came with these phones. In fact, they were never removed from the plastic when I sold the phones.

 

[bonkers325]

My note 3 charges with any cable I use. Don't buy cheap $1 cables, I have a few and while they will let me charge (at 500mA) it won't let me transfer data between PC and phone.

 

[Capt Caveman]

I buy Samsung Microusb cables from Amazon for around $4/each.

 

[Anubis]

my S4 charges fine with the cable the came with it AND the following
GNexus Cable
Nexus 7 Cable
HTC One Cable
Moto Xoom Cable
HTC sensation cable
Generaic walmart charger cable

Passes data on all of them as well

 

[GTRagnarok]

My Galaxy S4 works fine with Monoprice cables and even my Logitech wireless mouse charging cable.

 

[Dulanic]

Never had any problems, I've used my Sony NEX camera charger, my kindle charge, my car motorola charger, a mono price cable.... all charge it without problem.

The ONLY thing Samsung does do is have it charge faster if it is a specific charging cable (data pins shorted) than it does on a standard USB cable as to prevent over loading a normal USB port if it was charging on a PC.

 

[dawheat]

Yeah no issues on my Note 2 or Note 3 with:

- Samsung OEM cables
- Nexus 7 cable
- Nexus 4 cable
- Samsung "OEM" charger from Amazon that proved to just be a replica
- Anker car charger

 

[Oyeve]

Never had any issues using after market or other brand micro usb cables. Galaxy Nexus, GS3, Note 2, Nexus 4, & Note 3. I don't think I have actually used any of the oem cables that came with these phones. In fact, they were never removed from the plastic when I sold the phones.

Same with me. My only experience with the OP is my girlfriends S3 and non 2.0 amp charger. She lost her samsung charger and is using a different one thats .5 amps and it takes forever to charge and when it does hit 100% and she unplugs it in five minutes it will drop to 20%. I gave her a spare 2 amp charger and its good.

I love the USB3 charger and cable for my Note 3. It charges up almost as fast as an iphone.

 

[hanoverphist]

my s4 charges with my old motorola cables, my daughters old LG cable that wont work onany other phone and a cheapy walgreens cable as well. i havent had any issues.