A recent report by XDA Developers suggests that Portronics' Flash C2 USB-C cable, marketed as 'Thunderbolt 4.0', might have misleading packaging regarding its true capabilities and certification. This raises questions for Indian buyers seeking high-speed cables.
XDA Developers recently reported that Portronics' Flash C2 USB-C cable, marketed as 'Thunderbolt 4.0', appears to have misleading packaging regarding its certification and e-marker data. The investigation used a special app to read the cable's internal chip, revealing discrepancies with the branding on the box.
For Indian tech buyers, this is particularly relevant as Portronics is a well-known local brand. Consumers often rely on product packaging for crucial information, especially when investing in accessories for expensive devices like MacBooks or high-speed SSDs.
What the 'E-Marker' Chip Says
Every USB-C cable designed for more than 3A current or 40Gbps data speeds includes a tiny chip called an 'e-marker'. This chip stores vital information about the cable, including its maximum data speed, current and voltage handling, and even the manufacturer. Your laptop or device reads this data when you plug in the cable, using it to determine how much power and speed it can safely deliver.
According to XDA Developers, when they read the e-marker chip inside the Portronics Flash C2 cable using an M2 MacBook Air and the free 'WhatCable' app, the chip reported USB4 Gen 3 with 40 Gbps data speeds and a 240W power rating (50V at 5A). While these specs are impressive on paper, they contradict the 'Thunderbolt 4.0' claim on the box.
Thunderbolt 4 requires mandatory certification from Intel, and certified products are listed in Intel's official directory. Portronics is not listed in this directory, and the Flash C2 cable's plugs also lack the official Thunderbolt mark. The article noted the box itself couldn't even agree with Portronics' website, with different lengths and braiding materials listed.
Copy-Paste Chip Data?
The situation becomes even more curious when comparing the Flash C2 to another Portronics cable, the Konnect 240C. The Konnect 240C is a simpler USB 2.0 charging cable, priced at under $4 (roughly ₹330-350, based on today's exchange rates). Its e-marker chip correctly reported USB 2.0 speeds and 240W charging.
However, XDA Developers found that the e-marker data for both the Flash C2 and Konnect 240C was almost identical, with only three bits changed to signify the Flash C2's higher speed rating. Both chips reported a vendor ID of zero, a certification ID of zero, and a product ID of zero. They even claimed the same approximate length, despite the cables being sold at different actual lengths.
This suggests that an e-marker chip simply reports what it's programmed to say, not necessarily what the cable's internal wiring can truly handle or its official certification status. As XDA Developers put it, the Flash C2 is like a "decent cable for about $10 (around ₹830-850), wearing a Thunderbolt costume."
What This Means for Indian Buyers
For everyday charging or connecting an external SSD like the Samsung T7 Shield (which the Flash C2 handled at its full 10 Gbps speed), the Flash C2 might perform adequately. Its 240W charging capabilities also matched the box in prior tests. So, it's not necessarily a bad cable for general use.
However, if you're buying a cable specifically for Thunderbolt functionality, like connecting a high-end Thunderbolt dock or using features exclusive to Thunderbolt 4, then official certification is non-negotiable. Relying on an uncertified cable labelled as 'Thunderbolt 4.0' could lead to performance issues or incompatibility.
For Mac users, apps like 'WhatCable' can read e-marker data. Windows users can use USB-C meters like ChargerLAB's Power-Z KM003C to check the chip data. These tools can help you verify a cable's claimed specifications against what its e-marker chip actually reports. Ultimately, for true Thunderbolt connectivity, look for cables with the official Thunderbolt logo on the plug and confirmation in Intel's product directory.
