Globally, the latest data on smartphone users continues to increase. In 2020, the total number of smartphone users worldwide will reach 3.5 billion. As we see more and more smartphone users accessing the latest devices, we are seeing more adoption of USB C ports.
Despite this change, many people are still confused about the different USB types. Below, we've provided a guide to help you better understand how USB-C differs from A and B.
Different Definitions of USB
Before continuing, we would like to explain to you the types of USB connectors. First, let's take a moment to define what a USB type means. The terms "USB" or "USB type" can mean many things.
First, it refers to the connector on the end of the USB cable. Second, USB is also about the port we plug our USB cable into. Finally, the USB type could mean the cable itself.
When you refer to a cable, you usually refer to it by the connector's name, not the USB-A end. The reason behind this is that USB type-A is already a frequently used USB port/connector. So you can tell the cable apart by the type of USB on the other end.
For example, let's say you have a USB cable with USB-A on one end and USB-C on the other. When you use this cable, you call it a USB-C cable.
Having said that, let's discuss the various USB connectors.
Identify various types of USB connectors
Now let's start understanding the different types of USB connectors. The most basic and common is the USB-A connector:
USB-A connector
Sometimes people refer to a USB connector as a "male" port. If they wanted to use it, they would plug it into the "female" port. These connectors can also be classified as USB 2.0 (usually black) or USB 3.0 (usually blue).
Since most people use USB 3.0 these days, we'll just focus on this set of USB connectors. A USB-A 3.0 port is the type of USB connector commonly found in newer versions of personal computers. You'll also often see it on the other end of a USB 3.0 cable.
However, with most electronics, you'll find them with USB Type A connectors. They are often used to connect larger hardware to smaller machines. Most power cables connect some laptop models to devices like HD PVRs and have USB 2.0 ports.
USB-B connector
The USB Type-B connector doesn't look much like the USB A and USB-C connectors. The male port is not as wide as the USB A port, and there is a small rectangular hole in the middle.
These are often used to connect devices to external components such as hard drives, optical drives, or even printers.
USB-C connector
The USB-C connector has a flatter, smaller male port. The hole in the middle of the port where the small connector pins will be inserted is a small, flat oval hole. The difference between USB-A and USBC male ports is that the USB-A connector is much larger than USB-C.
This connector has a 24-pin configuration and was first designed and introduced in 2014. The USB-C connector is reversible, which makes it more user-friendly. This versatility makes it the most widely used port on the latest smartphones and laptops.
Micro USB
Look at your phone and check the shape of its charging port. Micro USB was the most common port type used by smartphone companies before USB-C.
Micro USB comes from several companies, notably Intel, Microsoft, Compaq, and IBM. They developed this for devices like office printers, GPS devices, digital cameras, and other office equipment.
Mini USB
If you have a product from Japan, you may need a Mini USB cable. Mini USB has a unique shape and pin combination. It's a square with a flared bottom edge, a proprietary connector found in Japanese cameras.
It was first introduced in 2000 and was originally intended for use in small electronics. Cameras, early PDA devices, and cell phones use Mini USB the most.
Note that the female port for each USB type is a matching port for each type. For example, a Micro USB female port is a compatible port for a Micro USB connector. The terms "male" and "female" are used for connector and port reference only.
Difference in data transfer speed
The latest type of USB type-C has exciting standards such as fast data transfer. Today's latest version of USB, USB 3.2, allows data transfers of up to 20Gbps.
Now, you might be wondering what USB 3.2 is. Like USB 2.0 and 3.0, USB 3.2 is the code name for the USB standard. It refers to the data transfer speed of the USB connector, not its shape or size.
To sum up, the latest generation of USB-C has transfer speeds of up to 20Gbps. With the new USB4 variant, this can be increased to 40Gbps.
By comparison, older USB-A can only reach speeds of 20Gbps with the latest 3.2 technology. Most USB-B port types use 3.0 technology. Therefore, most of them have transfer speeds up to 5Gbps.
USB C vs A vs B: Charging Speed
If your smartphone has a USB-C port, you may notice that the device charges faster. Your USB-C port can also transfer up to 100 watts of power through the interface. You won't find these upgrades in USB Type A and B. That's not something USB-C can do that USB-A and B can't. The USB-C port can also support Thunderbolt.
This doesn't just mean you can use it to boot or transfer data from Apple devices. This also means it adds support for throughputs up to 40Gbps and reduces power consumption.
Almost half of the smartphones launched in 2020 are equipped with USB-C ports. By 2022, more than 50% of computing devices that support data transfer may be equipped with USB-C ports. This is great news for all users of Android and iPhone.
Advantages of USB-C vs. USB A and USB B
One of the reasons for the popularity of the USB C connector is its symmetrical shape. You can't go wrong with the way you plug a USB C connector into its port. It's not like a USB Type A or B connector, which must be checked before plugging it into a port.
Another reason for the popularity of USB-C is its use on popular devices. Many top smartphones, computers and game consoles have USB Type-C ports. This includes the Samsung Galaxy series, MacBook Pro and Nintendo Switch.
More than 1,000 technology companies, members of the USB-IF, have collaborated to widely adopt this new connector. This includes big names like Microsoft, Intel, Dell, Google, HP, Samsung and Apple. With their lead, you can expect USB type-C to become the standard and most commonly used USB type.
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