Smartwatches Shun USB-C Ports as Waterproofing and Space Limits Block a 1-Cable Standard
Updated
Updated · Boy Genius Report · Jul 1
Smartwatches Shun USB-C Ports as Waterproofing and Space Limits Block a 1-Cable Standard
2 articles · Updated · Boy Genius Report · Jul 1
Summary
Smartwatch makers still rely on proprietary magnetic or pogo-pin chargers instead of USB-C, leaving even same-brand models sometimes unable to share one cable.
USB-C is largely impractical on watches because a physical port would compromise waterproofing and consume scarce internal space on already tiny devices.
Different watch sizes and shapes also make a single hardware design harder to standardize than on smartphones, which converged on USB-C under EU rules.
Wireless charging could help, but current options can be slow or finicky; Qi2 is a step forward, yet not all brands want to build around it.
IDC says forcing a universal standard now could stifle innovation, even as fragmented chargers add e-waste and frustrate consumers.