USB Docks and Pinephone dock

lsitongia · 27 Oct 2021, 20:06

I'm upgrading from a Google Nexus 4 to a Pixel 3a. I have a convergence dock for my Pinephone. Since the P3a uses USB-C, I'm wondering if anyone knows if the dock for the Pinephone will work on the P3a. TIA.

mikhael · 28 Oct 2021, 09:49

@lsitongia Video output won't work because Pixel 3a doesn't support DisplayPort alt mode over USB. Other ports on the dock might work though (if Pixel supports USB OTG).

lsitongia · 28 Oct 2021, 19:41

@mikhael, thank you for your reply. Do you know, is that because it's the lower-cost version of the phone? I'm bummed. I recently bought a mid-level tablet and found out that it doesn't do video over the USB either. I shouldn't think that mid-level devices would go cheap like that. Oh, well, I'm sure I'm going to enjoy having UT on this phone. I'm still enjoying my Nexus 4 on UT okay.

mikhael · 29 Oct 2021, 08:14

@lsitongia, as far as I understand, "Type C" only defines physical shape of a USB port. Inside it could be USB 2.0 or USB 3 or USB 3 + DisplayPort alt mode. Most mid-range phones only have plain USB 2.0/3.0 , and so video output is not supported.

Do you know, is that because it's the lower-cost version of the phone?

I think it definitely helps to reduce manufacturing costs. In case of Pixel devices the absence of physical video out ports also help advertising chromecast devices, I believe . Considering all the things I wouldn't count on support for video output over USB Type-C port on a phone by default, unless it is explicitly advertised in device specs.