How Hardware Startups Solve the Cable Problem

Episode 30 of Hardware Startups with Fexingo tackles one of the most overlooked engineering challenges in connected devices: cables. Lucas and Luna explore why USB-C hasn't fixed the mess of chargers, data cables, and proprietary connectors that trip up hardware startups. They break down the physics of cable design — gauge, shielding, and power delivery — and explain why even a 10-cent difference in components can make or break a product's reliability. Drawing on examples from the early iPhone charging fiasco to the EU's push for universal ports, they show how startups can turn cable complexity into a competitive advantage. The episode also covers how to spec cables for manufacturing, avoid counterfeit certification marks, and when to include a cable in the box versus selling it separately. A practical deep dive for anyone building hardware that plugs into the real world. #USB-C #CableDesign #HardwareStartups #Connectors #Manufacturing #PowerDelivery #Certification #EUCommonCharger #MFi #iPhone #Engineering #Prototyping #SupplyChain #Business #Technology #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #Hardware Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo