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Why It Matters
When shopping for USB cables, most people think about compatibility, speed, power delivery, length, and price. However, Sanwa Supply has introduced a new USB-C cable with a unique feature that might make it easier to use devices while they’re charging. While the cable isn’t particularly fast or long, it is durable and handy for quick charging needs.
Sanwa Supply has launched the 500-USB090 USB-C cable on their Japanese website. The cable has a rotating plug designed to reduce the hassle of charging portable devices.
Both ends of the cable can rotate 180 degrees vertically and 360 degrees horizontally. This feature allows users to position the cord in any direction, unlike most USB cables that force a device to stay in a specific position. Sanwa shows how the 500-USB090 solves this issue.
The cable is capable of delivering 240W of power, making it suitable for quickly charging phones, tablets, a Nintendo Switch, portable monitors, and MacBooks. However, a 240W power rating will likely remain uncommon until USB4 2.0 and Thunderbolt 5 become more widespread. Sanwa demonstrates using the flexible cable with these devices at a bedside, on a table, and in a car dashboard.
The main downside of the 500-USB090 is that it only supports USB 2.0 data transfers, with speeds up to 480Mbps. This is why the company mainly markets it as a power cable. Most USB cables today support USB 3.2, which offers much faster speeds.
As USB4 and Thunderbolt standards become more common, we can expect bi-directional transfers at 80Gbps or asymmetrical connections at 120Gbps in one direction and 40Gbps in the other. Charging at 240W will also become possible but isn’t yet universal.
Elecom was the first to launch a certified USB4 2.0 cable in October. However, only one model supports 240W charging, while another is limited to 60W. Meanwhile, newer PCs like Apple’s M4 Macs are beginning to adopt Thunderbolt 5, and older desktops can gain compatibility through PCIe cards.
It’s uncertain if or when Sanwa will sell the 500-USB090 outside Japan, but it’s currently available there for ¥2,580 (approximately $16).
Sanwa also recently introduced a quick-release Ethernet cable. Inspired by Apple’s MagSafe technology, the CAT6 plug can easily detach, making installation easier and preventing damage if someone trips over the cable. The 10Gbps accessory is priced at ¥4,180 (about $27) for the one-meter version.
