Vietnam consumer electronics face power waste and USB‑C compatibility issues

Leaving phone chargers plugged in continuously draws a standby power of about 0.1–0.5 W, which can add roughly 2,000–16,000 VND to an annual electricity bill per charger. The cumulative effect of many chargers, as well as other standby devices such as TVs and coffee makers, can account for 5–10 % of a household’s total electricity consumption.

The shift to USB‑C ports has introduced new inconsistencies: not all cables and chargers deliver the same charging speed or data‑transfer rates, and many do not support video output. For example, the iPhone Air’s USB‑C port is limited to 480 Mbps, and only cables that include DisplayPort Alt Mode can drive external displays. The emergence of Thunderbolt and USB4 further blurs the standards, leaving consumers to navigate a fragmented ecosystem.

Experts advise unplugging chargers when not in use or using smart power strips to eliminate standby draw, and selecting high‑quality, fully‑featured USB‑C accessories to ensure optimal performance.