Very disappointed with Wyze cam v4

Hello,

I recently bought a Wyze Cam v4, only to discover it uses Micro-USB instead of USB-C. I assumed there were previous versions (v1, v2, v3), so I can’t understand why the v4 still uses Micro-USB.
The camera is going back to the store.
Wyze get on with the times.

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The voltage doesn’t demand it and there is no need to pull an “Apple” and switch cables on everyone. Including the power bricks.

Switching to a new cable is not necessary.

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Welcome to the Forum, @shlimon! :wave:

The USB connector issue was discussed quite a bit in the Cam v4’s announcement topic, and a lot of the thought seemed to be about people replacing older cameras and leaving existing cables in place. :man_shrugging:

Unfortunately, Wyze’s own public information about Cam v4 is inaccurate months later:

Cam v4’s product page is correct, though:

Power

  • Power Adapter: Input 110-240 V (AC/DC), Output Indoor 5V/1A
  • Outdoor Power Adapter (sold separately)
  • Cable: 6-Foot Flat micro USB to USB-A

I understand the disappointment and wish I had a better answer for you.

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It’s a theft deterrent feature! :grin:

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:laughing::wink:

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I personally don’t get why people care what type of connector is there when Wyze is providing the cable. If they didn’t then I’d be upset too :slight_smile:

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I’m extremely glad they didn’t change it because swapping my OG to v4 would have been a much more involved process since the existing micro-USB cable was carefully routed to be out of sight and secured in place well.

What exactly do you need USB-C for? The camera doesn’t need PD or fast charge, it also would have made the connector on the pigtail bigger and more unsightly.

There is plenty of brand new stuff out there still using micro. USB-C typically shows up in high power devices or ones with batteries, the v4 is neither of those.

Seems like an pretty nit picky thing to be “very disappointed” about and making it worth returning… if you are so adamant about your connector type, why didn’t you check the specs before buying?

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@dave27 testify!

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I also don’t really understand why so many people get upset about micro-USB. I don’t really know what benefit USB-C would have for a low powered non-battery smart camera (doesn’t need PD PPS), that doesn’t do data transfer and comes with the power cord…it seems like a higher price tag without much benefit in this use case.

Still, I like to think from other POVs, and if I really try to think of a way to steelman the preference, this is what I come up with for this use case:

  • Durability: USB-C is designed with a better housing and reinforced connectors and more robust construction so it doesn’t bend or break as easily. And it usually is a thicker cord to hold more wires since it supports more connectors, which reinforces the rest of the cord. USB-C doesn’t wear out as quickly or as easily and may arguably be “safer” as far as shorts or fire risk are concerned.
  • Reversible connector - less hassle.
  • Future proofing and current Universal standard especially with Wyze wanting to expoand and go global

Of course none of that takes into consider other benefits like the potential for PD PPS use of charging things with batteries. For example, I could reuse the same cords to charge a Wyze Battery Doorbell or power a wired camera or any number of things.

I suppose those are good arguments, particularly the safety one. I’m not saying MicroUSB is unsafe, but USB-C is definitely better designed and durable and safe.

For me, personally, I’m fine with the cheaper cost. I have lots of adapters that change cords both ways, so I never really care what a device uses unless there is a special thing needed like high power PD PPS.

If they woulda used USB-C, then, I woulda hada found an adapter in my box of cables #firstworldproblems

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Maybe we should ask Forum Administration to add  first-world-problems as a topic tag. :wink:

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Only benefit I enjoy is, whichever I plug in the USB-C, I get connected 100% of the time. Other plugs are 50-50. Unfortunately there is only a 10% chance of that.

Don’t get me wrong, I highly prefer the USB-C connector to Micro. But in this case, I see no reason to add cost for it, and as @crease said, I probably would not have bothered jumping on the v4 deal if I would have had to run a new cable (or try to waterproof an adapter).

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Sure, but you could do what I do, and look first. I just setup a new camera tonight and looked to see which way was the longer flat side and I nearly always get it right if I look first.

But I agree it is convenient to not have to look and just poke it in. The big question is… How much more $ is that convenience worth to you? The device connector definitely costs more, the cord itself with the better connector is also more too.

It’s true there are some lost sales when a product doesn’t have USB-C nowadays, but There are also a lot more lost sales for price increases. The more they raise the cost, the fewer overall sales they get, and it’s worse than the few lost sales from a specific cord preference. So a company has to ask, is it worth it to cater to a cord preference and lose some of those sales or cater to the most affordable price possible and sell more overall and make more money when it balances out?

Some people definitely won’t mind the increased cost, and that’s why Wyze has started offering USB-C for a lot of their premium and pro type of devices. Than people who really want the premium hardware can still get it, while the people who want the flagship product at the most affordable price can get that too. So entry level and flagship products cater a lot to the most features they can with the most affordable price. Pro and more premium products now usually give people the things that cost more money like USB-C. To me, seems like a reasonably smart decision overall.

For what it’s worth, I have moved on to getting mostly pro and premium type products because I like the better stuff in general. :slight_smile: But I’m also okay paying a little more for them.

What if you’re really really drunk?

I recall Dewalt had a USB-A cable that was spring loaded and would work either way you inserted it. Thought that was a pretty cool idea (not sure if they were the first or just copied it). Obviously that won’t work with mini or micro though.

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Yeah, ditto. I actually bought a few more v4s than I really intended to, specifically because they were micro USB and could be easily switched out to replace some of my older wyze cams with 2.5K and since other newer features.

Pretty much required with these cams, even when you orient it correctly, it takes some maneuvering to get it lined up right inside the boot. I wouldn’t want to add the 50/50 into the mix too. The boot does slide out of the way but that seems more work than just looking first and wiggling it around a bit until you feel it line up.

My eyes certainly aren’t what they used to be, but seeing the correct orientation of a micro female port, even inside the boot, is no issue (yet).

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Ha. I often look, set it the right way and and still have issues. Luckily with cams, it is set it and forget it.

Haven’t noticed. Especially when it is included. Some minor costs are insignificant.

Luck improves when I drink.

I did see Amazon sells dual-side insertion micro USB connectors but I can live with it the way it is.

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Thanks for all the responses! Everyone has their own perspective. I don’t have any spare Micro-USB cables around, so if the included one fails, I’d need to buy a new one. On the other hand, I’ve got plenty of USB-C cables ranging from 3ft to 25ft.

Additionally, I’m not a fan of companies charging extra for features that are already built in, like recording cooldown or smart detection. I totally get charging for cloud storage, but I don’t see why other features should be locked behind a paywall.

Anyway I returned the camera and researching Eufy.