With each new version, USB ports and connectors have become progressively more functional, paving the way for smaller, lighter and more portable devices. However, as new standards bring more speed, power and versatility to market, they also bring a complex assortment of features and capabilities to consider when deciding which cable or peripheral is right for your application.
In the 1990s, office desktops were a tangled mess of serial, parallel and proprietary cables. Universal Serial Bus (USB) changed all of that, simplifying computer connectivity through a small, inexpensive interface: the USB Type-A (USB-A) port/connector. With billions of USB devices now in daily use, USB is the dominant wired interface for laptops, tablets and phones.
USB has evolved through a series of standards (see Table 1) that specify how cables connect, communicate and supply power to computers, mobile devices and peripherals. The latest iteration is USB4 and, like previous versions, it represents another leap forward in data transfer speed, video resolution and power.
To understand USB data transfer rates, you need to know a little about the design of the USB-C connector. A USB Type-C connector has four pairs of pins known as "lanes" that transmit (TX) and receive (RX) data (see highlighted pins in Figure 1 below). USB 3.0 (5 Gbps) and USB 3.1 (10 Gbps) use one TX lane and one RX lane, depending on the orientation of the connector. USB 3.2 takes advantage of all four lanes to achieve a 20 Gbps data rate.
Figure 1: USB-C Connector Pin-outs
The naming convention recently adopted for USB 3.2 incorporates speed x lanes. For example, USB 3.2 Gen 1x2 means 5 Gbps x 2 lanes, for a connection speed of 10 Gbps.
Specification Signaling Rate/Lane Number of Lanes Aggregate Bandwidth USB 3.2 Gen 1×1 5 Gbps (SuperSpeed) 1 5 Gbps USB 3.2 Gen 2×1 10 Gbps (SuperSpeed+) 1 10 Gbps USB 3.2 Gen 1×2 5 Gbps (SuperSpeed) 2 10 Gbps USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 10 Gbps (SuperSpeed+) 2 20 GbpsThe USB4 Gen 2×2 specification (known by its marketing name, USB4 20Gbps) and USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 both offer 20 Gbps connection. USB4 Gen 3×2 (USB4 40Gbps) uses a different data encoding scheme to achieve 20 Gbps per lane and 40 Gbps when in dual lane mode.
Specification Signaling Rate/Lane Number of Lanes Aggregate Bandwidth USB4 Gen 2×2 10 Gbps 2 20 Gbps USB4 Gen 3×2 20 Gbps 2 40 GbpsUSB 4 (officially "USB4" without the space) is an important update, not only for the new capabilities it offers but because it helps to resolve the confusion over USB 3.x naming and, for the most part, it gives users a predictable and consistent experience. The USB4 protocol requires a USB-C to USB-C cable.
Up to 40Gbps Data Transfer Rate: USB4 devices are required to support 20 Gbps (2.4 GB/sec). They can optionally support 40 Gbps (4.8 GB/sec) if they use the shorter 0.8 meter Gen 3 cable.
Multiple Data and Display Protocols: USB4 supports USB 3.2, PCIe and DisplayPort 1.4a through a technique called protocol tunneling. DisplayPort and Thunderbolt 3 are also supported via Alt Mode.
Backward compatibility with USB 3.2, USB 2.0 and Thunderbolt 3: USB4 maintains compatibility with previous versions of the USB specification and, thanks to its Thunderbolt 3 foundation, supports TB3 Alt Mode too.
Video and Data Bandwidth Optimization: USB 3.2 allocated fixed bandwidth to data or video or, in DP Alt Mode, gave 100% to video. USB4 dynamically allocates bandwidth to video and data based on actual needs.
100 Watt Charging: All USB4 devices support USB Power Delivery. When a device is connected to a USB4 port, USB PD negotiates a "contract" to deliver power, safely supplying up to 100 W (5A/20V).
What is Protocol Tunneling?
When devices talk to one another, they do so using a protocol. If both devices can speak and understand the same protocol, a connection can be established. Conceptually, Protocol Tunneling creates a "pipe" with one protocol and uses it to send data in another protocol. USB4 Protocol Tunneling creates a USB-C tunnel through which DisplayPort or PCIe data can be sent. USB4 Protocol Tunneling is similar to Alt Mode but doesn't require a DP or PCIe controller.
What is USB4 Fabric?
The word fabric is a metaphor used to describe a network of interconnecting nodes, such as switches. When illustrated, the crisscross pattern resembles woven cloth. The term has been adopted by the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) to describe how USB4's tunneling architecture dynamically manages the connection between USB4 routers so multiple protocols can simultaneously share the fabric's resources.
Will Apple Support USB4?
Apple's new MacBooks and Mac Mini will be the first to use Apple Silicon's own Arm-based processors, so there was some doubt surrounding support for USB4. However, Apple was able to implement support for both USB4 and Thunderbolt 3 in time for the product rollouts.
Your USB connections are about to become faster! Products compatible with the Thunderbolt™ 3 standard have entered the market. This latest generation offers both power delivery and bidirectional data transfer at speeds up to 4x faster than USB 3.2 Gen 2, and can create never-before-possible computing options for personal devices.
Chart 1: USB Cable Types, Standards and Speeds
* USB-C is more accurately known as Type C or USB Type C
** Cable length is the length covered by the specification. Longer lengths can be achieved using active cables and in some cases, longer passive cables
Does USB-C support USB 2.0?
It can but first let's clarify the difference between USB-C and USB. USB-C is a physical connector and, despite the name, it does not imply support for any particular version of the USB standard. In fact, a USB-C connector can be used to connect peripherals using other interface standards such as Thunderbolt 3.
When buying USB-C cables, make sure to check the charging wattage and USB data rate supported. A charging cable supporting USB 2.0 can be longer than USB 3.x and USB4 cables but is limited to a 480 Mbps data transfer rate and will not support alt-modes.
Most commonly used to connect printers and external hard drives to desktop computers, the Type-B port actually has two different configurations. One is specific to USB 1.1 and 2.0 speed protocols, while the other is for use with the USB 3.0 and later spec.
The Mini-B connection is most often used by portable electronics such as digital cameras, MP3 players and some cell phones, and only with USB 1.1 and 2.0 speeds. There are both four-pin and five-pin versions of the Mini-B connector.
The Micro-B connector has one configuration for USB 2.0 and a different configuration for USB 3.0 and later. The Micro-B connector is found on many popular models of Android™ smartphones and external hard drives.
Developed to support devices with a smaller, thinner and lighter form factor. Type-C is slim enough for a smartphone or tablet, yet robust enough for a laptop computer. In fact, many new laptops have eliminated USB-A and RJ45 Ethernet ports and offer USB-C as the only port for video, network, data transfer and charging. This has prompted other protocols, including Thunderbolt™ 3, DisplayPort, MHL, and HDMI, to adopt USB-C as their standard source connector.
Alternate Modes allow the data pins on a USB Type-C connector to carry other types of signals. For example, DisplayPort Alt Mode (also referred to as DP Alt Mode) allows a USB-C cable to connect a DP-enabled laptop or tablet directly to a TV or computer monitor with a USB-C port.
The USB-C Type 2.1 specification (announced May, 2021) increases the power capacity of cables and connectors from 100W to 240W, making it possible to power and charge larger, power-hungry devices such as 4K monitors, e-bikes and gaming laptops.
USB ports and connectors are sometimes color-coded to indicate the USB specification and features they support. These colors are not required by the USB specification and are not consistent between equipment manufacturers. For example, Intel uses orange to indicate a charging port, whereas a manufacturer of components for industrial equipment chose orange to indicate a USB port with a strong retention mechanism.
Chart 2: Types of USB Port
On the most basic level, USB standards simply let a host, such as your computer or tablet, communicate with peripherals and other devices. But as specifications evolve, USB has become more than a mere data interface. Below are the latest USB functions available on many of today's devices. A device may support one or more of these functions:
Up to 240W of power can be delivered across a single USB-C cable, eliminating the need for a separate power brick. This is especially useful for peripherals that draw higher power levels, such as an external hard drive. Not all devices or ports will support USB Power Delivery, however; consult your device's specifications chart or owner's manual if you are uncertain. For more on USB charging, see our primer on USB Charging.
Battery powered devices can be charged through a laptop's USB port.
A docking station is able to power or charge a laptop, eliminating the need to plug the laptop into an AC power outlet.
A power-hungry device, such as a hard disk drive, can be powered directly from a laptop.
A monitor powered by a wall outlet can power or charge a laptop while displaying.
If you've ever recharged your phone from your PC's USB port, you know how useful this USB function can be. The BC 1.2 spec defines a new type of port, the charging port, that meets standards to ensure your battery will recharge safely and consistently. It also allows a device to pull more power than a standard USB port for faster charging. A normal USB 2.0 port provides up to 500mA (0.5A) and a USB 3.0 port provides up to 900mA (0.9A). A BC 1.2-compliant port provides up to 1.5A, even while transferring data. It also allows the device being charged to communicate its charging requirements to the USB charger, ensuring an optimal charge.
USB OTG allows mobile devices such as a smartphone or tablet to act as a host to other USB devices such as flash drives, keyboards and mice. With USB OTG, a mobile device can utilize the functionality of the peripherals while still being able to connect to a computer and present itself as a mass storage device to be used on the computer. USB OTG-compliant devices will require an OTG adapter to allow for the connection of peripherals.
With DisplayPort Alt Mode, USB-C connectors and cables have the ability to transmit both USB data and VGA, DVI, HDMI or DisplayPort video and/or audio. Adapters are available to connect DisplayPort over USB-C to VGA, DVI, HDMI and DisplayPort monitors. DisplayPort Alt Mode does not require the use of drivers, making it plug-and-play.
Thunderbolt™ 3 technology supports vibrant 4K video resolution on dual DisplayPort displays simultaneously, an ideal feature for digital signage and high-performance gaming.
Boost the functionality of the USB or Thunderbolt™ port on your MacBook or laptop with a portable, smartphone-sized USB docking station. The latest Thunderbolt™ 3 docks offer up to a blazing 40 Gbps bidirectional data transfer speed, ideal for quickly transferring large media files between devices. When Wi-Fi is weak or unavailable, they can provide access to a wired Ethernet network. They offer a simple way to add robust Thunderbolt™ to HDMI or Thunderbolt™ to DisplayPort functionality to a device, and support playing true 4K high-resolution video and digital audio on two large displays simultaneously.
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Modern variations of USB are not just limited to communication only as they now focus on power delivery too. However, it gets a little trickier when choosing the right type because USB has evolved into many variants today. Smartphones, laptops, chargers, power banks, printers, or any device else may all feature USB connectivity of some sort.
So, USB C, Type A and USB B, how are they different from each other? What makes USB so special? We’ll answer these questions through this detailed post while talking about different types of USB cables.
USB (Universal Serial Bus) cables differ in their plug types and USB standards. Though USB plugs and their version can be different, almost every USB cable serves the common purpose of data communication.
However, newer USB generations are unbelievably faster than their previous generations. For example, the latest USB4 version is 10,000 times faster than USB 1.0. Read further on to see the different types of USB cables and their versions.
You may be also interested: How to Choose the Right Data Cable Type for Your Device?
Below is the list of the most commonly used types of USB cables with plug specifications.
USB Type-A
One end of most USB cables is a type-A connector. This is a very common type of USB connector that you can see on computers, printers, chargers, etc. Typically, it has a black rectangle connector that is most commonly used for data transfer up to the standards of USB 2.0 specification. However, the connector can be blue and red for USB 3.0 and USB 3.2 standards. One end of every USB cable is a type-A connector that is used to connect an IT peripheral to a PC.
Micro-B
Micro-B is a tiny 5-pin connector that is most common with small electronics like older smartphones, power banks, and game controllers. The micro-B connector is used for making a data connection between a PC and these small digital devices. It is also used to deliver power to the smartphone’s battery with a charger. The micro-B USB is still common in budget android smartphones that do not have a USB-C receptacle.
Lightning
The lightning connector is developed and owned by Apple inc. It acts both as a power connector and a data transfer cable. It is most commonly used with Apple’s iPhone, iPad, and iPad. The lightning connector is a proprietary technology so it is exclusive to Apple devices only. The main identification feature of this connector is its unique design. It features 8 pins on both sides which enables you to use it reversibly.
USB Type-C
You must know what is a USB-C port as this is the most common connector today. USB-C charging is the most recent standard of USB technology. It is widely found in smartphones, modern laptops, tablets, power banks, etc. USB-C features a 24-pin reversible plug which means that you can plug it either up or down. Besides, USB-C offers data transfer speeds up to 20Gbps. See our collection of Anker USB C chargers which can fast charge your smartphones, laptops, power banks, chargers, etc. in a convenient and safe way.
Different versions of the USB are listed below.
USB 1.0: It was launched in 1996 and can operate at a maximum speed of 1.5 Mbit/s.
USB 1.1: Launched in 1998 and provides a maximum transfer rate of 12 Mbit/s. It can output a max current of 500mA.
USB 2.0: Can operate at a maximum speed of 480 Mbit/s and can output 1.8 amperes at 5 volts DC. A black plug mostly identifies itself as USB 2.0.
USB 3.0: What is a USB 3 port? First appeared in 2008 with significant changes in the data transfer rate. It can operate at a maximum speed of 5Gbps. It also supplies 1.8 amperes at 5 volts. It features a type-A plug with five extra pins for its working, 4 other pins are for backward compatibility with USB 2.0. USB 3.0 plugs are mostly blue. The cables have a superspeed logo (SS5). SS5 means SuperSpeed 5Gbps.
USB 3.1: Came to business five years after its predecessor. It can operate at a maximum data transfer rate of 10Gbps. USB 3.1 cables have a superspeed logo (SS10). SS10 means SuperSpeed 10Gbps.
USB 3.2: A final upgrade to USB 3.0 came in 2017 as USB 3.2. It is known to transfer data at 20Gbps. USB 3.2 cables have a superspeed logo (SS20). SS20 means SuperSpeed 20Gbps.
You may want to read: USB 2.0 vs 3.0: A Comparative Guide for Beginners >>
USB4: USB4 was launched in 2019 with a maximum data transfer rate of 40Gbps. It can output a power of 100 watts. USB4 cables have a superspeed logo (SS40). SS40 means SuperSpeed 40Gbps.
USB4 v2: It is the latest version of the USB (launched in 2022) specification with the highest data transfer rate of 120Gbps to date. This version is still new and its cables may not be available to purchase at this time.
Before buying a USB cable, you should be aware of the following things.
USB Type: Before buying a cable for yourself, decide what type and version of USB you want to buy. Cables can have different types of USB connectors as we talk above. You can’t charge any USB C device directly with a USB Type B cable, for example. Find the USB cables with the right connectors for your devices.
Manufacturer: Always buy USB cables from reliable manufacturers only because they use high-quality materials to manufacture a cable.
Certification: Before buying a USB cable check for its safety certifications. These certifications ensure that the cable is safe to use under normal conditions without the risk of fire, short-circuit, and electric shock. These safety certifications are issued to manufacturers by the government.
Build Type: Rubber USB cables are common, but they get some environmental wear and tear over time. You can also buy braided USB cables because they are sturdier and more resistant to kinks and twists.
We hope that you won’t be having any further doubts about the types of USB cables after reading this definitive article. Because there are many variants of USB cables so, to get the right one, you’d better be familiar with each of its types and versions. Don’t get a USB cable without knowing these details because there are chances that you’ll end up buying the wrong one. We also suggest you check more quality USB cables so that you can find the right one for your needs.
There are about 8 types of USB cables such as USB type-A, type-B, type-C, micro-A & B, lightning, and mini-A & B. However, not every USB cable is in active use today. For example, lots of micro-B cables which are widely seen in small items like speakers, microphones, etc, are upgrading to USB type-C cables to get a faster and safer transfer.
Every USB cable’s connector has a plastic block on which the data and power pins sit. If the plastic block is black, it is a USB 2.0 cable. If it is blue, then the cable is USB 3.0. And if the plastic block is red, this tells that the cable is of USB 3.2 standard. Usually, you can tell a USB 2.0, USB 3.0, or USB 3.2 cable in this way for branded cables.
Yes! Every USB 3.0 cable is backward compatible with USB 2.0 devices. So, a USB 3.0 cable can be used with a USB 2.0 device in a plug-and-play manner. But, remember that using a USB 3.0 cable with a USB 2.0 device provides data transfer speed up to the standards of USB 2.0 only.