Xiaomi launches affordable 6A reverse charging USB-C cable with 120W fast charging

Xiaomi has launched a short USB-C cable in China, and it's not primarily designed for ordinary charging scenarios. Instead, it's a reverse-charging wire that promises to make powering other devices with a smartphone easier.

The cable measures 16cm (6.29 inches), which should make it easier to carry around. Xiaomi says that the build focuses on durability, with the exterior featuring a woven material and the internals boasting a "high-quality" wire core. There's a smart chip that's said to automatically detect the connected devices and do the required power negotiations.

However, the cable can also be used as a regular charging wire. As Xiaomi notes, with the 6A power rating, it can offer up to 120W fast charging (Anker 160W charger curr. $105.99 on Amazon). Of course, in such use cases, the upstream USB plug needs to be connected to a source, while the other should be connected to the device that needs to be charged.

There's support for multiple charging protocols, including PD 3.0. This wide support makes the reverse charging cable compatible with a range of devices, including laptops, tablets, low-power devices like wireless earbuds, and power banks.

As for the price, the reverse charging cable is currently available on the Chinese platform XiaomiYoupin, and it costs CNY 9.9, around $1.44. While there's no word on the global launch yet, it could be introduced alongside the Poco X8 series in the international market.