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Comment by dncornholio | Hacker News Reader

Isn't this just a lesson to always read the output values on adapters?

Hi, author here. If the writing on those adapters was easily readable by the visually impaired and surrounded by bright red/orange colors, this wouldn't be that much of an issue. I had one hell of a time trying to even photograph the output voltage etching specified on the adapter itself.

The info is still there.. You were not being lied to.

It's a USB port. Differently than the dozens of proprietary charging connectors that were ubiquitous before micro-USB and USB-C dominated, consumers have an expectation that it adheres to the specification.

To be on the safe side, one would actually have to check the voltage. Both the output voltage and whether these are really 0V and 5V to ground. The output frequency spectrum should also be checked.

To be honest, we used to have those round connecters that would vary in voltage a lot more, so I always check the adapters sticker.

Well, USB is a standard - you would expect a standard USB output to deliver a standard voltage.

Interestingly, even Samsung phone chargers put out 9v, but I think they only do that when connected to a Samsung device. On the plug is says 5v and 9v, and (I'm assuming) they switch to 9v when they detect a device that can use it for fast charging.

It’s called QuickCharge and was a standardized version of Apple’s fast charging or USB C PD many years before USB C was a thing. Samsung was a key player.

The charger emits 5V unless the device supports higher voltage and negotiates it.

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