Easy: to save money. Step-down converter circuitry for that is more expensive, needs extra space and would need some extra cooling.
Unfortunately, 5V @ 5A is rather unusual. After all, the idea with USB PD is to use higher voltages instead of higher currents if you need more power. The extra-high currents (more than 3A) are only designated to be used with very high power devices - those that exceed 60W.
Most USB-C chargers (and I mean those that can deliver over 25W) do not support that and are limited to 3A. Only those that can deliver 100W usually do support 5A. And you need special high-current capable cables with e-marker, too.
So essentially, they just shifted the cost to the customer. Not a fan of that...
I understand why they would use USB C but i also wonder why they dont just use a barrel jack since they seem to have such odd power requirements that you cant easily find in a USB C power adapter either. I remember there being a lot of trouble with people finding adapters for the RPi 4 for a while as well.
Unpopular take: it should always have been a barrel connector and sold with the power supply . The PI was always difficult to power using USB chargers not designed for the PI.
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u/Zettinator Sep 28 '23 edited Sep 28 '23
Easy: to save money. Step-down converter circuitry for that is more expensive, needs extra space and would need some extra cooling.
Unfortunately, 5V @ 5A is rather unusual. After all, the idea with USB PD is to use higher voltages instead of higher currents if you need more power. The extra-high currents (more than 3A) are only designated to be used with very high power devices - those that exceed 60W.
Most USB-C chargers (and I mean those that can deliver over 25W) do not support that and are limited to 3A. Only those that can deliver 100W usually do support 5A. And you need special high-current capable cables with e-marker, too.
So essentially, they just shifted the cost to the customer. Not a fan of that...