ok, finally figured this out while troubleshooting another problem.
Apparently my Framework 16 laptop has an intentional “reduction” in power across it’s module ports, and therefore only certain (lower powered) devices will be successful… Expansion Card Slot functionality on Framework Laptop 16 (AMD Ryzen™ 7040 Series)
Ports 1,2,4,5 are shared on a first come first serve basis. So they are 1.5A by default, but one port from any of these can negotiate 3A over PD. Once that is taken, the other ports are limited to 1.5A. Ports 3,6 are 900mA.
So I was on the right track thinking about power, but i didn’t expect it to come as a limitation of the certain ports on the laptop.
Previously when I connected my cell, i was using ports 3,6… the sub 1A ports. Now when I purposefully connect it to port 2 (1.5A), low and behold it works as expected; prompting me for “debugging mode”!
Feb 19 16:53:32 AMD-Ryzen9-7940HS kernel: usb 1-1: new high-speed USB device number 13 using xhci_hcd
Feb 19 16:53:32 AMD-Ryzen9-7940HS kernel: usb 1-1: New USB device found, idVendor=18d1, idProduct=4e11, bcdDevice= 5.04
Feb 19 16:53:32 AMD-Ryzen9-7940HS kernel: usb 1-1: New USB device strings: Mfr=1, Product=2, SerialNumber=3
Feb 19 16:53:32 AMD-Ryzen9-7940HS kernel: usb 1-1: Product: moto g 5G - 2024
Feb 19 16:53:32 AMD-Ryzen9-7940HS kernel: usb 1-1: Manufacturer: motorola