In early 2026, when international copper prices steadily reached a new historical high of $12,000-$13,000 per ton, the global consumer electronics supply chain was no longer experiencing "slight turbulence," but rather a violent "tectonic shift."

For TYPE-C cables and TYPE-C connectors, which are indispensable in our daily lives, copper is not just a parameter in the BOM (Bill of Materials), but a vital element that determines the survival of enterprises. Recently, with the implementation of price increase notices from giants such as TE Connectivity and Stäubli, this cost crisis triggered by copper prices is forcing the TYPE-C industry chain to completely bid farewell to the old era of "low profit, high volume".

This article will provide an in-depth analysis of how the surge in copper prices has reshaped the industry landscape of TYPE-C cables and connectors.

I. "Precision Strike" on the Cost Side: Why is TYPE-C the Most Damaged? Many people think that a TYPE-C cable doesn't have much copper, so how much impact can it have on costs? This is the biggest misconception.

1. Raw materials account for an extremely high proportion; copper is a "hard cost." Unlike chips, where costs can be reduced through design optimization, Type-C cables are typical "material-heavy, manufacturing-light" products. In conventional Type-C charging and data transmission cables, copper (including copper wire and copper alloy terminals) accounts for 60%-80% of the total production cost. SMM data shows that for every 1000 yuan/ton increase in copper price, cable manufacturers' costs increase by an average of 60-120 yuan per kilometer. Since 2025, copper prices have increased by more than 48% cumulatively, meaning that raw materials alone have instantly eroded nearly half of manufacturers' profit margins.

2. The double whammy of "gold-plating" and "silver-plating" for TYPE-C connectors: TYPE-C connectors (male and female interfaces) not only require a copper alloy base material, but also, to ensure corrosion resistance and low contact resistance for high-speed transmission (such as USB4 and Thunderbolt 5), the terminal contact parts must be gold-plated/silver-plated. In 2025, international gold prices rose by over 50%, and silver prices rose by an astonishing 282%.

Conclusion: A high-end, full-featured Type-C cable must withstand both the soaring price of copper-based materials and the uncontrolled cost of precious metal plating. This is a dual pressure that other traditional cables (such as pure aluminum wire and low-voltage power cords) do not face.

II. Market Polarization: AI Takes the Lead, 3C Products Take the Bone; Copper Price Increases Are Not Passed On to Consumers in a "One-Size-Fits-All" Manner, but a Significant Price Increase Gradient Effect Has Emerged in the TYPE-C Sector.

1. High-end Type-C (Thunderbolt 5/USB4/240W Fast Charging): Possesses negotiating power, with price increases of 9%-12%. These are full-featured Type-C cables targeting AI data centers, high-performance laptops, and gaming devices. Due to the involvement of high-frequency, high-speed transmission and E-Marker chips, they have high technological barriers. Buyers in this category prioritize signal integrity over absolute low prices. Leading companies have successfully passed on the 10%-12% cost increase to downstream users. These Type-C cables have not only maintained their value but have also seen price reshaping due to their increased worth.

2. Consumer-grade Type-C (phone charging cables/regular data cables): Caught in a "price war," this is the hardest-hit sector. Downstream mobile phone manufacturers have long inventory cycles and strong pricing power, while upstream terminal manufacturers are already unable to absorb the soaring copper prices. The industry's feedback that "raw material prices have risen by 12%, and customers are still pushing for lower prices" accurately reflects this market situation. The result is that, to avoid losses, some small and medium-sized Type-C cable manufacturers are forced to stop accepting low-priced orders, or, while ensuring safety, are desperately cutting costs by optimizing conductor diameter tolerances and using high-conductivity copper alloys instead of pure copper.

III. The "Undercurrents" in Technological Routes: The continued high price of copper, which is driving the TYPE-C industry to seek a "second path" from a technological perspective, is the replacement of copper with aluminum and domestic alternatives.

1. Exploring the Boundaries of Aluminum Replacing Copper: Although aluminum cables cannot replace copper in the high-end TYPE-C high-frequency signal transmission field due to skin effect and conductivity issues, the penetration rate of copper-clad aluminum or copper-clad steel wires is increasing in pure DC power supply scenarios (such as pure charging cables and security monitoring power supply cables).

The company frankly admitted: Is this "downgrading"? No, it's a "precise compromise" within the price limit. As long as voltage drop and heat generation are controlled within standards, downstream customers are gradually accepting this compromise.

2. Accelerated Replacement of Domestic Terminals: Previously, high-end Type-C connectors (especially versions with high-performance EMI (electromagnetic interference) shielding requirements) mostly used imported copper. The current copper price surge, coupled with geopolitical premiums, has forced supply chain giants like Luxshare Precision and Hon Hai Precision Industry to accelerate the verification of domestically produced high-precision phosphor bronze/titanium copper materials. Once the yield rate of domestically produced high-performance copper alloys is ramped up, the cost structure of Type-C connectors will see a permanent optimization.

IV. 2026 Outlook: TYPE-C Wire Prices Will No Longer Be "Bargain Prices" According to analyses from CITIC Securities and SMM, a price correction in copper is almost certain for 2026. For the massive TYPE-C consumer market, we will see three clear trends:

1. Low-priced, substandard cables are being phased out rapidly. Before July 2025, when copper prices were around 70,000 yuan/ton, TYPE-C cables priced at 9.9 yuan (including shipping) could barely survive by cutting corners. However, when copper prices exceeded 100,000 yuan/ton, even legitimate manufacturers couldn't cover their material costs. By 2026, with stricter environmental enforcement and cost inversion, unbranded and uncertified "three-no" (no brand, no certification, no quality) cables will largely disappear.

2. "Pricing based on copper prices" has become an industry rule. The copper price linkage mechanism, previously only available for bulk industrial connectors, is rapidly extending to the consumer electronics sector. More and more TYPE-C brands are being forced to accept "monthly/quarterly floating prices" and abandon annual fixed-price contracts.

3. Consumers are paying for "certainty." A fully-equipped USB 4 passive cable with a genuine E-Marker chip will remain priced at over 100 yuan. The industry is shifting from a "cost war" to a "value war"—instead of questioning why manufacturers are raising prices, it's better to identify who is using inferior recycled copper and who is insisting on high-purity oxygen-free copper.

4. Value Rediscovery: The increased BOM cost of a single PPTC cable (approximately 0.1X-0.3X RMB) is far lower than the after-sales cost of a Type-C cable burned out due to overcurrent (approximately 8-15 RMB). While copper prices squeeze customers' profit margins, the use of PPTC products distributed by Ruipu Technology reduces after-sales risks, and the stable quality actually wins more stable orders from end-user brands.

Conclusion:

Every fluctuation in copper prices redefines the value of Type-C cables. For the supply chain, this is an extreme challenge to survival; for consumers, cherish that full-featured Type-C cable in your hand that hasn't yet increased in price—every charge and data transfer it makes is a battle against the turbulent waves of global commodity prices. We also welcome inquiries from domestic and international clients to discuss cooperation.