The problem with USB-C is more in explaining it to the non-technical than it is a problem for HN crowd. The most straightforward solution is to buy the highest

The problem with USB-C is more in explaining it to the non-technical than it is a problem for HN crowd. The most straightforward solution is to buy the highest speed/power rated cables from Apple/Anker and throw away whatever slop comes with your devices. As far as I can tell, there is generally no downside to using the best cable for everything, aside from cost. But then you are spending $70 at Apple or $45 with Anker per cable. Short of doing that I have dealt with every stupidity between brand new 2026 cables that are USB-2 speed, power cables that do not move data, data cables that do not offer power, and even cheapo cables that are directional and do not work if plugged in the other way. Another problem with USB-C is the non-standard connector plastic shapes/sizes. Some percent of my cables don't fit into my personal and/or work iPhone cases because they have an oddly sized plastic connector. None of this seems optimal for explaining to my senior parents why [Device A] won't plug into [Device B] via [Cable C].