In brief: Shopping for USB cables typically involves comparing compatibility, speed, power delivery, length, and price. However, Sanwa Supply’s new USB-C cable features an interesting gimmick that could make using devices while connected easier. Although the cord isn’t extremely fast or long, it is rugged and versatile when you need a quick charge.
Sanwa Supply’s 500-USB090 USB-C cable is now available on the company’s Japanese storefront. The cable’s rotating plug aims to make using portable devices less frustrating while charging.
Each end of Sanwa’s cable rotates 180 degrees vertically and 360 degrees horizontally, enabling users to tuck the cord out of the way in any orientation. Most USB cables dictate a device’s position according to how they bend, but Sanwa demonstrates how the 500-USB090 eliminates this problem (below).
The cable supports 240W power delivery to swiftly charge phones, tablets, a Nintendo Switch, portable monitors, and MacBooks. Its 240W power rating will likely remain uncommon until USB4 2.0 and Thunderbolt 5 become more widely available. Sanwa shows the flexible cable attached to such devices at a bedside, table, and vehicle dashboard.
The 500-USB090’s main drawback is that it only supports USB 2.0 data transfers at up to 480Mbps, which is likely why the company primarily advertises it as a power cable. Most standard USB cables currently support USB 3.2, which delivers much higher speeds.
Once the new USB4 and Thunderbolt protocols are more widely adopted, we’ll see bi-directional transfers at 80Gbps or asymmetrical connections at 120Gbps in one direction and 40Gbps in the other. Charging at 240W is also possible but not universal.
Elecom became the first company to introduce a certified USB4 2.0 cable in October, but only one model supports 240W charging while the other is limited to 60W. Meanwhile, newer PCs like Apple’s M4 Macs have begun adopting Thunderbolt 5, and older desktops can gain compatibility through PCIe cards.
It remains unclear if or when Sanwa plans to sell the 500-USB090 globally, but the cable is already available in Japan for ¥2,580 (or about $16).
The company also recently introduced a quick-release Ethernet cable. Taking inspiration from Apple’s MagSafe technology, half of the CAT6 plug easily detaches, simplifying installation and preventing damage if someone trips over the cable. The 10Gbps accessory starts at ¥4,180 ($27) for the one-meter variant.
