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With all flagship phones, many tablets and a growing number of laptops ditching, the 3.5mm headphone jack adaptors like this have become essential for anyone sticking with 3.5mm.
While companies may be pushing everyone to adopt Bluetooth earphones, it is inferior to a wired connection in many ways, with reduced sound quality and increased latency. Wired earphones are also cheaper and don’t have a limited lifespan due to the batteries degenerating.
The StarTech.com adaptor is a simple accessory that will allow you to use 3.5mm headphones on your phone or laptop while also being able to charge that device.
The stand out feature is that it supports up to 60W power delivery which allows you to charge more powerful devices, such as laptops, while in use. The adapter also supports Quick Charge 2.0 (18 W) and BC 1.2 charging.
In Use
It is possible that not all phones will support this adaptor. With competing products, many of them list product support, and some users report issues. Some phone brands seem funny about allowing 3.5mm USB-C headphone adaptors.
In my case, when I initially tried it with my OPPO Find X3 Neo, it didn’t recognise the headphones, but subsequent attempts it was fine.
I then tested it on the following phones, all successfully:
- Huawei P30 Pro
- Huawei P40 Pro
- Realme GT 5G
- Poco X3 Pro
I also used it with the Huawei Matebook 13 with no problems.
With this supporting 60W PD, it is possible, if not likely, that some phones won’t take advantage of the faster charging. Many brands use their own specific fast charging technology, such as SuperVOOC on OPPO, and these phones will normally default to Quick Charge when you don’t use the exact cable attached to the correct charger.
Price and Alternative Options
The StarTech.com USB C Audio & Charge Adapter is priced at £38.39 direct from StarTech.com, however, if you shop around, you can find it for under £25.
It is available on Amazon UK for £27.96, but infuriatingly you can buy it cheaper by importing it from the Amazon US store for just £23.72.
There appears to be a clone of this product with an identical spec by CableCreation for £20.
The Belkin CONNECT is £28 with the same spec, but the dangly cable is an inferior design, in my opinion.
Other competing brands offer a lower power delivery rating. For example, the Ugreen dongle for £19 is rated for 30W.
Overall
The Startech has worked well for me across devices. I like its design, with it being a little more compact than the dangly adaptors.
The RRP is a bit steep compared to competing brands, but if you shop around it is much cheaper, and StarTech.com are more reputable than many of the random brands you find on Amazon.
StarTech.com USB C Audio & Charge Adapter Review [CDP235APDM]
Summary
The StarTech.com USB C Audio & Charge Adapter works well across devices and the high 60W power delivery rating means this can be used with many laptops or for faster charging with PD equipped phones such as Xiaomi.
Overall
70%-
Overall - 70%70%
Pros
- 60W PD allows this to work with most laptops that have USB-C power leads
- Works well across devices
- Compact design
Cons
- RRP is high (but available much cheaper)
I am James, a UK-based tech enthusiast and the Editor and Owner of Mighty Gadget, which I’ve proudly run since 2007. Passionate about all things technology, my expertise spans from computers and networking to mobile, wearables, and smart home devices.
As a fitness fanatic who loves running and cycling, I also have a keen interest in fitness-related technology, and I take every opportunity to cover this niche on my blog. My diverse interests allow me to bring a unique perspective to tech blogging, merging lifestyle, fitness, and the latest tech trends.
In my academic pursuits, I earned a BSc in Information Systems Design from UCLAN, before advancing my learning with a Master’s Degree in Computing. This advanced study also included Cisco CCNA accreditation, further demonstrating my commitment to understanding and staying ahead of the technology curve.
I’m proud to share that Vuelio has consistently ranked Mighty Gadget as one of the top technology blogs in the UK. With my dedication to technology and drive to share my insights, I aim to continue providing my readers with engaging and informative content.
Last update on 2024-04-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
