Connect the usb type c connector. What is USB Type-C

It is impossible to imagine a modern person without electronic devices. Smartphones, tablets, music players and laptops today are in almost every family. Each of these devices has its own use and therefore each functions in its own unique way. However, there is something that in one form or another unites them all. And this is the presence of USB ports.

One day in 1994, 7 of the world's leading technology companies created a new standard for connecting computer peripherals. This is how the Universal Serial Bus appeared, which for short is called USB.

Today it is truly a universal standard, and it is difficult to find an electronic device that does not have a USB port of one type or another. But how do you know which cable is suitable for it? This guide will help you determine the type of USB connector and select the appropriate plug.

Variety of options

Almost everything modern computers And electronic devices have some form of USB connection and come complete with the appropriate cables. Does it matter which one is used, and what are all these differences for? This is really important for now, but it may change in the future.

In the mid-1990s. The universal bus became an industry standard, which made it possible to streamline the connection of computer peripherals. It has replaced a number of earlier interfaces and is now the most popular connector type in consumer devices.

However, it is still difficult to understand all the varieties of USB.

If the standard was meant to be universal, why are there so many different types? Each of them serves a different purpose, mainly ensuring compatibility when new devices with better specifications are released. Below are the most common types of USB connectors.

Type-A

Most cables and peripherals (such as keyboards, mice, and joysticks) have a Type A connector. Personal computers, laptops and netbooks usually have several ports of this form. Additionally, many other devices and power adapters use them for data transfer and/or charging. The connector has a flat rectangular shape and is the most recognized and used. USB pinout Type-A is as follows:

+5V - voltage +5 V.
D- - data.
D+ - data.
GND - ground.

All versions of USB standards retain the same form factor for Type-A, so they are mutually compatible. However, USB 3.0 connectors have 9 pins instead of 4, which are used to provide faster data transfer speeds. They are located so as not to interfere with the operation of pins of previous versions of the standard.

Type-B

This is an almost square-shaped connector that is mainly used to connect printers, scanners and other devices with their own power to a computer. Sometimes it can be found on external drives. These days, this type of connector is much less common than Type-A connections.

The connection form in version 3.0 of the standard has been changed, so backward compatibility is not supported, although the new type of ports accepts older modifications of plugs. The reason for this is that Type-B USB 3.0 has 9 pins for faster data transfer, while Powered-B has 11 pins, 2 of which provide additional power.

Again, as with Type-A, physical compatibility different versions does not indicate support for speed or functionality.

Basic Concepts

Before attempting to understand the differences between types A and B, it is necessary to understand the concepts of host, receptor, and port.

The slot located on the front or back of the computer case (host) into which one end of the USB cable is inserted is called a port. An electronic device that needs to be charged or to which data needs to be transferred (such as a smartphone or tablet) is called a receptor.

The most popular USB standard is Type A, which can be seen at the end of almost every USB cable inserted into a host slot today. More often Type-A ports desktop computers are equipped, game consoles and media players.

Type B connectors are found at the end of a regular USB cable that connects to a peripheral device, such as a smartphone, printer, or hard drive.

Benefits of USB

The standard simplifies the installation and replacement of equipment by reducing all communications to serial data transmission over twisted pair cables and identification of the connected device. If you add grounding and power here, you get a simple 4-wire cable, inexpensive and easy to manufacture.

The standard defines the way the peripheral interacts with the host. If you are not using USB On the Go (OTG), which allows you to limit the capabilities of the host, a direct connection is made. The USB device is not able to initiate communication, only the host can do this, so even if you have a cable with the appropriate connectors, the connection will not work without it. Additionally, since wires carry both power and data, connecting two hosts without an intermediary device can be disastrous, causing high currents, short circuits, and even fires.

Mini

The connector was standard for mobile devices before the advent of micro-USB. As the name suggests, mini-USB is smaller than normal and is still used in some cameras. The connector has 5 contacts, 1 of which serves as an identifier for OTG support, allowing mobile devices and other peripherals act as a host. The USB Mini pinout is as follows:

+5V - voltage +5 V.
D- - data.
D+ - data.
ID - host/receptor identifier.
GND - ground.

Micro

This is the current connector standard for mobile and portable devices. It has been adopted by almost every manufacturer except Apple. Its physical dimensions are smaller than Mini-USB, but it supports high data transfer rates (up to 480 Mbps) and OTG capabilities. The shape is easily recognizable thanks to the compact 5-pin design.

The Lightning connector is not a USB standard, but rather an Apple proprietary connection for iPad and iPhone. It is similar to micro USB and is compatible with all Apple devices, made after September 2012. Older models use a different and much larger proprietary connector.

Type-C

It is a reversible connector that promises faster data transfer and more power than previous types. It is increasingly used as a standard for laptops and even some phones and tablets, and has been approved by Apple for Thunderbolt 3.

Type C is a new solution and promises to be everything to everyone. It is smaller, faster and can receive and transmit much more power than previous versions.

Apple shocked the world when it introduced new MacBook with only one USB-C port. This will likely be the start of a trend.

You can read more about USB-C at the end of this article.

Nuances of micro-USB

Those of you who have a phone or tablet on Android platform, definitely have a micro USB cable too. Even the most die-hard Apple fans can't avoid them, as they are the most common type of connector used for things like external power boxes, speakers, etc.

Owners of many gadgets may find that these cables become plentiful over time, and since they are usually interchangeable, you may never have to buy them separately unless they get lost or fail all at once.

When shopping for a micro-USB cable, it can be tempting to choose the most cheap option, but, as often happens, this is bad idea. Wires and plugs low quality can easily break and become useless. Therefore, it is better to save yourself from future problems by purchasing a quality product from a reputable manufacturer, even if it costs a little more.

Another thing worth mentioning is the cable length. The short ones are great for transport, but they often mean you have to sit on the floor next to an outlet while your phone charges. Conversely, a cable that is too long can be awkward to carry, can become tangled, and can potentially cause injury.

0.9m is a good length for a charging cable. It allows you to keep your phone while connected to the battery in your bag or pocket, ideal for playing Pokemon Go or simply using your phone while traveling for long periods of time.

If you frequently recharge from third-party USB ports to comply with safety precautions or when the device charges slowly, this may solve the problem. special cable, preventing data transfer. An alternative is a network adapter.

Another issue that can be problematic is the fact that the connectors on most USB cables (except USB-C) are not interchangeable and often require several tries to connect. correct connection. Some manufacturers have attempted to fix this. However, not all devices support this feature.

What is USB OTG?

It is a standard that allows portable and mobile devices to act as hosts.

Let's say you have an external drive, a laptop and a smartphone. What do you need to do to copy files from the disk to your phone? The easiest way is to move them from external storage to a laptop, and from it to a smartphone. USB OTG allows you to connect the drive directly to your phone, thereby bypassing the need for an intermediary.

And that's not all! There are many other ways to use OTG. You can connect any USB device to your smartphone, be it a flash drive, wireless mouse, keyboard, headphones, card readers, game controllers, etc.

USB cables

In a connected world, wired connections between various electronic devices play important role. The demand for them is so high that tens of millions of USB cables are produced every year around the world.

Technologies are constantly evolving and improving, as are the associated peripheral devices. The same update trend holds true for USB connectors, but with so many versions and types of USB standards, it becomes difficult to keep track of which USB is better suitable for performing certain functions. To do this, you need to understand them basic differences.

USB types

Various versions USB, such as 2.0 and 3.0, are concerned with the functionality and speed of the USB cable, and their type (such as A or B) mainly refers to the physical design of the connectors and ports.

The USB 1.1 standard (1998) is designed for a throughput of 12 Mbps, a voltage of 2.5 V and a current of 500 mA.

USB 2.0 (2000) is distinguished by the “HI-SPEED” marking on the USB logo. Provides speeds of 480 Mbps at a voltage of 2.5 V and a current of 1.8 A.

Adopted in 2008, USB 3.0 supports 5 Gbps at 5 V and 1.8 A.

USB 3.1, available since 2015, provides speeds of 10 Gbps at 20 V and 5 A.

The latter standard provides higher throughput and is for the most part backward compatible with more earlier versions. Standard-A connectors are identical to previous versions of Type-A, but are usually colored blue to distinguish them. They are fully backwards compatible, but increased speeds are only available if all components are USB 3 compatible. Standard-B and micro versions have additional pins for increased bandwidth and are not compatible with USB 3. previous versions. Older cables and connectors USB Type-B and micro-B can be used with USB ports 3.0, but the speed will not increase.

Type C Connector Specifications

The name made headlines in tech magazines around the world when Apple released the 12” Macbook. This is the first laptop to include a Type-C design.

From a physical point of view, the connector is similar to the existing version USB Micro-B. Its dimensions are 8.4 x 2.6 mm. Thanks to its small form factor, it can easily fit into even the smallest peripherals used today. One of the many advantages of Type-C over others existing solutions is that it allows connection in reverse orientation, i.e. the plug will always be inserted correctly on the first try! The connector is designed in such a way that you don't have to worry about it being upside down.

Type-C supports USB standard 3.1 and provides maximum speed 10 Gbps. It also has a significantly higher power output of up to 100W at 20V and 5A. Since laptops typically consume 40-70W, this means Type C easily covers their power requirements. Another functionality offered by USB Type-C is bidirectional power. In other words, you can not only charge your smartphone through a laptop, but also vice versa.

Type-C has received rave reviews from users around the world and has appeared in the popular Chromebook Pixel and Nexus 6P smartphones, as well as the Nokia N1 tablet.

We can confidently say that in the coming years all electronic devices will be equipped with ports of this type. This will make working with them easy and convenient. All you need is a single Type-C cable, which will eventually eliminate the tangled tangle of wires in your desk drawer.

Although the specifications were first published in 2014, the technology only really took off in 2016. Today, it has become a viable replacement not only for older USB standards, but also for others such as Thunderbolt and DisplayPort. The new Type-C audio solution is also a potential replacement for the 3.5mm headset jack. Type C is closely intertwined with other new standards: USB 3.1 provides more bandwidth and USB Power Delivery provides better power delivery.

Connector shape

USB Type-C is a new tiny connector that's barely the size of a microUSB. It supports various new standards such as USB 3.1 and USB PD.

The usual connector that everyone is familiar with is Type-A. Even after the transition from USB 1.0 to 2.0 and further to modern devices he remained the same. The connector is just as chunky as before and only connects when oriented correctly (which obviously never works the first time). But as devices got smaller and thinner, massive ports simply weren't suitable anymore. This led to many other forms of USB connectors such as Mini and Micro.

This inconvenient array of connectors of various shapes for devices of all sizes is finally becoming a thing of the past. Type C is the new standard of very small size. It is about a third of the old one USB Type-A. This is a single standard that all devices must use, so to connect an external drive to a laptop or charge a smartphone from a charger, you only need one cable. This tiny connector is small enough to fit into an ultra-thin smartphone, but powerful enough to connect all your peripherals. The cable itself has identical Type C connectors on both ends.

Type-C has many advantages. The orientation of the connector doesn't matter, so you no longer have to flip the plug over and over again trying to find the right position. This is a single form of USB connector that everyone should accept, so you don't have to have a lot of different USB cables with different plugs for different devices. And there won’t be many different ports taking up scarce space on increasingly thin gadgets.

Moreover, Type C connectors can also support multiple protocols using "alternate modes" which allow you to have adapters capable of outputting HDMI, VGA, DisplayPort or other types of connections from that single connection. A good example of this is the Apple Multiport Adapter, which allows you to connect HDMI, VGA, USB Type-A and Type-C. Thus, many connectors on regular laptops can be reduced to ports of one type.

Nutrition

The USB PD specification is also closely intertwined with Type-C. Currently, a USB 2.0 connection provides up to 2.5W of power. This is only enough to charge your phone or tablet. Specification Supported USB-C standard, provides power supply up to 100 W. This connection is bidirectional, so the device can both charge and charge through it. In this case, data transmission can occur simultaneously. The port allows you to charge even a laptop, which usually requires up to 60 W.

IN Apple MacBook and Chromebook Pixel Google The USB-C connector is used for charging, which allows you to finally do away with all branded power cables. At the same time, it becomes possible to charge laptops from portable batteries, which are usually used to charge smartphones and other electronics. And if you connect the laptop to external display powered from the mains, then its battery will be charged.

However, please remember that the presence of a Type C connector does not automatically USB support P.D. Therefore, before purchasing devices and cables, you need to make sure that they are compatible with both standards.

Transfer rates

USB 3.1 is the latest Universal Serial Bus standard with a theoretical throughput of 10 Gbps, which is twice the data transfer speed of first-generation Thunderbolt and USB 3.0.

But Type-C is not the same as USB 3.1. This is just the shape of the connector, and the technology behind it can be based on standards 2.0 or 3.0. For example, the Nokia N1 tablet uses USB Type C version 2.0. However, these technologies are closely related. When purchasing, you just need to pay attention to the details and make sure that the device or cable you are purchasing supports the USB 3.1 standard.

Backward Compatibility

The physical Type C connector, unlike the basic standard, is not backward compatible. You can't connect old USB devices to today's tiny Type-C port, and you can't connect USB-C plug to an older port larger size. But this does not mean that you will have to get rid of all the old peripherals. USB 3.1 is still compatible with previous versions, so you only need a physical USB-C adapter. And you can already connect old devices directly to it.

In the near future, many computers will have both USB Type-C and large type A, as it is implemented, for example, in the Chromebook Pixel. This way, users will be able to gradually migrate from older devices by connecting new ones to USB Type-C. But even if the computer is manufactured with only Type C ports, adapters and hubs will fill this gap.

Type-C is a worthy upgrade. Although this port has already appeared in laptops and some smartphones, but this technology is not limited to them. Over time, all types of devices will be equipped with it. One day, the standard could even replace the Lightning connector used in iPhones and iPads. Apple's port doesn't have many advantages over USB Type-C, other than the fact that the technology is patented and the company can charge a licensing fee.

Advantages of the USB 3.1 port:
★ fast
★ powerful
★ universal

Advantages of the Type-C connector:
★ durable
★ symmetrical

Now you are guaranteed to connect the USB cable to the device the first time.

⚠ It is necessary to distinguish between the concepts “ port" And " connector». Connector(socket) Type-C can be soldered to an old phone (instead of micro-USB), but port it will stay that way old USB 2.0 - this will not increase the charging and data transfer speeds. The only conveniences that will appear are the symmetry and reliability of the connector.

⚠ Thus, the presence of Type-C does not mean anything. Smartphone models with a new connector are sold, but with old port. The “goodies” listed in this article do not apply to such smartphones.

Assigning Contacts

The connector contacts in the diagrams are shown from the outside (working) side, unless otherwise specified.

The port contains 24 pins (12 pins on each side). The “upper” line is numbered A1…A12, the “lower” line is numbered B1…B12. For the most part, the lines are identical to each other, which makes this port indifferent to the orientation of the plug. The contacts of each line can be divided into 6 groups: USB 2.0, USB 3.1, Power, Ground, Matching channel And Additional channel. Now let's take a closer look.

Actually, USB 3.1. High-speed data lines: TX+, TX-, RX+, RX- ( pins 2, 3, 10, 11). Speed up to 10 Gb/s. In the cable, these pairs are recrossed, and what is RX for one device appears as TX for another. And vice versa. By special order, these pairs can be retrained for other tasks, for example, video transmission.

Good old. Low speed data lines: D+/D- ( pins 6, 7). This rarity was included in the port for the sake of compatibility with old low-speed devices up to 480 Mb/s.

Power supply plus - Vbus(pins 4, 9). Standard voltage is 5 volts. The current is set depending on the needs of the peripherals: 0.5A; 0.9A; 1.5A; 3A. In general, the specification of the port implies a transmitted power of up to 100 W, and in case of war, the port is capable of powering a monitor or charging a laptop with a voltage of 20 volts!

GND - Mother Earth (pins 1, 12). Minus everything.

Matching channel(or configurator) - SS ( pin 5). This is the main feature of USB type-C! Thanks to this channel, the system can determine:

— Fact of connection/disconnection peripheral device;
— Orientation of the connected plug. Oddly enough, the connector is not completely symmetrical, and in some cases the device wants to know its orientation;
— Current and voltage that should be provided to the peripherals for power or charging;
— The need to work in an alternative mode, for example, to transmit an audio-video stream.
— In addition to monitoring functions, this channel, if necessary, supplies power to the active cable.

Additional channel - SBU (pin 8). The additional channel is usually not used and is provided only for some exotic cases. For example, when transmitting video over a cable, an audio channel is transmitted over the SBU.

USB 3.1 Type-C pinout

The “striped color” here shows the contacts of the bare wire.

A strange decision was to mark the D+ and D- wires not as in USB 2.0, but vice versa: D+ white, D- green.

Wires are marked with a gray outline, whose color, according to Wikipedia, is not regulated by the standard. The author did not find any indication of the colors of the wires in official documentation.

Wiring Type-C connectors ▼

Typical diagram USB-C cable"fork-fork"▼

USB PD Rev.2 (USB Power Delivery) power/charge technology

The USB-C cable does not have such concepts as “connector-A” or “connector-B” - the connectors are now the same in all cases.

Device roles are designated with new terms:

DFP- active, power supply device (like a USB port) A)
UFP- passive, receiving device(like a USB port B)
DRP- a “two-faced” device that dynamically changes its status.
In addition, the charger is called Power Provider, charging - Power Consumer.

The distribution of roles is carried out by setting a certain potential on the CC contact using one or another resistor:

Active device ( DFP V bus.
The resistor value tells the consumer how much current he can expect:
56 kΩ - 500 or 900 mA
22 kΩ - 1.5 A
10 kΩ - 3 A

Adapters from USB 2.0 (3.0) to USB-C, used to connect new smartphones to old PCs or storage devices, are wired according to the DFP scheme, that is, they show themselves to the smartphone as an active device▼

Passive device ( UFP) is determined by the resistor between contacts CC and GND.
Resistor value: 5,1 kΩ

Adapters from USB-C to USB-OTG are wired exactly according to the UFP scheme, that is, they simulate a consuming device▼

⚠ USB PD Rev2 technology in which by contact CC agree current And voltage charge should not be confused with Quick Charge (QC) technology, where the contacts D− And D+ only consistent voltage charge. USB PD Rev2 is only supported in USB 3.1.
QC is supported without reference to the port version.

USB-micro-USB-C adapter

Wiring the Type-C to USB 3.0 OTG adapter board from different sides ▼

Analog audio via Type-C

The standard provides for the possibility of transferring analog sound via digital port. This feature is implemented in HTC smartphones U series, HTC 10 Evo, Xiaomi Mi, LeTV. The author will be grateful if the reader adds to this list.

To work in this mode, use analog headsets with a Type-C plug. Adapters are provided to connect the classic one.

Analog audio is transmitted via Data−, Data+, SBU1 and SBU2 channels. The smartphone enters this mode if there is a headset or adapter in the plug between contacts A1-A5 and B1-B5 a resistance of less than0.8…1.2 kOhm. Instead of a resistor, I could see just a jumper.

Video over USB-C

To transmit video via USB 3.1, the “DisplayPort Alternate Mode” has been developed.
See the list of devices that support this mode.
In mode "Display Port" the purpose of the port pins changes - two pairs TX2/RX2 turn into a video channel, and SBU1/2 handles the sound ▼

Discussion: 243 comments

Friend!
There is a dev board ROC-RK3328-CC, powered via micro usb, the specifications say power up to 12v 2a (yes, via microusb).
Also this same microusb has OTG function. I would like to re-solder microusb female to type-c female.. What is the best way to solder in order to maintain functionality? As I understand it, resistors and capacitors will not be needed? Thanks in advance)

Answer

Answer

Greetings. Can you tell me if it is possible to transmit a signal from a stereo microphone via USB-C?

Answer

I don’t know of such a method, but there must be one, since stereo microphones with a type-c plug are still sold: http://www.boya-mic.com/wap/stereomicrophonesystem/1085.html
I guess it won't be possible to transmit an analog stereo signal. Requires external type-c sound card with stereo input for analog microphone. Of course, the receiving device must support the external card.

Which device do you want to connect the stereo microphone to?
1. True, I can’t tell you how good it is and whether it really has stereo. I recommend looking for reviews and making sure the microphone is compatible with your smartphone. I don't use external microphones.
  
  Answer

Good afternoon. I have an electronic stabilizer for action cameras Zhiyun Evolution Z1 and there was a Garmin virb ultra 30 camera, and everything was fine until I changed the camera to Gopro hero 7. This cable (in the photo with a mini USB plug) is used to connect the camera to the stabilizer battery and its charging, and filming can last for a very long time (I never completely discharged the batteries, although I filmed almost without a break during many hours of car trips).
Now, when I changed the camera, it turned out that the camera uses a USB-C connector for charging. There is no such cable included with the stabilizer. I was looking for an adapter mini usb– usb-c. It turned out that this is very rare, there are a couple of options only on aliexpress. I contacted the manufacturer, but received no response.
Question: is it possible to solder a mini usb plug (pictured) to a usb-c plug?
Thank you.

Answer

Have you ever met a person who enthusiastically said: “My smartphone has Type-C”?

Debates about the modernity and usefulness of the new interface have been going on for quite a long time. Some consider it the future, others - a utopia. The trouble is that both sides have strong evidence that they are right. To understand the situation, it is necessary to comprehensively study the issue.

Development

Not everyone remembers the first USB Type-A connector, which is still used in the latest computers, laptops and tablets. Back in the 90s, it had the same physical form, but a different standard - USB 1.1. In more detail, there were restrictions on data transfer speeds.

In 2001, standard 2.0 was developed, which is the most widespread today. It provided data transfer speeds of up to 480 Mbit/s. At this moment, the era of creating a universal and high-speed connector for connection began.

The first generally accepted connector to become very popular and widespread was Type-B Mini. It is successfully used in phones, cameras, video cameras and allows you to connect devices to a computer. However, this should not be considered a big breakthrough, only the form has changed, the standard remains the same - USB 2.0. In other words, the transfer speed did not increase.

The desire to minimize the size of gadgets led to the creation new Type-B Micro. He continues to be the main character of the overwhelming majority modern technology, but cannot offer users much benefit.

A real breakthrough was the USB 3.0 specification, which radically changed the way we look at many things. The new interface made it possible to increase the data transfer speed to 5 Gbit/s. Changes also affected the internal structure. The new 3.0 introduces a 9-pin group (in 2.0 there were only 4 contacts).

The final step towards the advent of Type-C was the adoption of the 3.1 standard, which remains the fastest and most efficient today. Users were able to transfer data at speeds of up to 10 Gbit/s. The new standard also allows for 100W charge transfer.

The standard consists of 24 pins: two rows of 12 pieces. 8 pins of the USB 3.1 interface are used for data exchange at high speed. Pins B8 and A8 (SUB1 and 2) are used for transmission analog signals into headphones (right and left), A5 and B5 (CC1 and 2) are needed to select the power mode. There are also ground (GND) and power (V+) pins.

Benefits of Type-C

It is not so necessary, but is simply another physical modification that has received support for USB 3.1. But don’t rush to conclusions, as there are a number of advantages that the new connector offers:

Safety. The connector is double-sided, i.e. You can connect the cable in any position. This provides complete safety and the safety of the gadget from breakdowns that are accompanied by bent or broken contacts.
Versatility. Full compatibility with all old generation standards is ensured, starting with USB 1.1.
Independence. Type-C, which supports USB 3.1, can supply connected devices with up to 100W of power. Simply put, when connected, there is not just a full power supply, but also recharging the batteries of other gadgets, as from “”.
Compactness. The connector has very small dimensions, so it is actively used in the production of modern tablets.

Flaws

From a technical point of view, USB Type-C is almost perfect. So why hasn't it become the most popular yet? Why are manufacturers not in a hurry to equip their equipment with it? There are no obstacles to technical equipment, but there are significant reasons that slow down this process.

First of all, it has a unique physical structure, so to connect most gadgets you need adapter cables, all kinds of splitters and adapters. If the connected device does not support USB 3.1, such a connection simply becomes meaningless, since the maximum data transfer speed and power support will not be provided.

Most of the released computer, mobile, audio and video equipment is equipped with Type-A, Type-B Mini/Micro, which do not support USB 3.1 or even 3.0. The mass transition to USB Type-C will reduce demand for existing products that do not have it. Regardless of the desires and hopes of users, manufacturers deliberately push back effective technology and slow down its spread.

Secondly, even if two connected devices have Type-C, it may not be possible to get all the benefits. This is due to imperfect technology for processing and transmitting information from certain categories of devices. For example, you can synchronize a smartphone and a personal computer/laptop via Type-C. However, data transfer in both directions will be limited, since the hard drive will not be able to provide maximum speed.

Yes, new technology is available, it is in use, but a complete transition is still far away. You need to understand that in the event of a complete transition to USB Type-C, you will have to send all outdated equipment for recycling.

Lately, surprising people is even easier than it seems. When they showed us the USB Type-C connector, everyone just gasped, because it’s so cool, now you can charge your device the first time even at night. But is it worth it? Maybe USB Type-C is not as good as it seems? Maybe he is not needed at all now? Yes, maybe...

Yes, maybe being able to charge your smartphone when you're drunk is good. Or maybe this is just another marketing ploy by large companies so that you will once again buy yourself a new tablet or smartphone? In this article, we described five reasons why you don’t need USB Type-C right now.

1. USB Type-C does not mean “fast charging”

One of the most common myths about this connector is that it will charge your devices faster. This is wrong. This is just a new version of the connector. Type-C is the same as previous standards; fast charging has nothing to do with it. Despite the fact that it supports the USB 3.1 standard, which brings with it a number of improvements, you shouldn’t think that this will be the case on all smartphones.

OnePlus 2 is the most striking example of this. It has a USB Type-C connector, but it's USB 2.0, which doesn't give it any advantage other than a "universal" cable over older smartphones. In addition, there is not yet a single smartphone that supports the new type of connector and fast battery charging mode.

2. There won’t be huge data transfer speeds either.

The second myth is that it will allow you to transfer data at the speed of light compared to older solutions. Here, too, everything depends on industry standards such as USB 2.0, 3.0, 3.1. It is these standards that determine the data transfer speed, but not the shape of the cable.

3. You will have to keep it as the “apple of your eye”

If you are planning to go somewhere on vacation and forgot your MicroUSB cable at home, then there is nothing to worry about, because you can charge your smartphone with a charger from your tablet, or you can even use someone else’s cable for charging, because this standard distributed throughout the world.

But the owners of the same OnePlus 2 will have to endure for who knows how long and carry the cable all the time in their pocket or backpack. After all, if your smartphone’s battery dies, there will simply be nowhere to charge it. That is why devices with such connectors need to be purchased at least a year later, when there will already be a sufficient number of smartphones/tablets with this type of charger on the market. So you shouldn’t chase the desire to get into the connector even at night, because this will lead to another significant problem that I described above.

4. The cable is rare and expensive

If you suddenly lose your cable, you will have a hard time. Firstly, it is almost impossible to find it in a short time. Secondly, if you find it, its value is much higher than you think. And all because now there is demand for this product minimum.

5. Old accessories will become useless

Surely, like me, you have a huge box of various trinkets and accessories for your smartphone. Once you buy a main device with a USB Type-C connector, they will all become useless in an instant. Since the “old” Type-A connectors are physically incompatible with the new type of cable. Of course, special adapters will help you, but think about it, is it worth it?

The USB Type-C port is the successor to the original port micro USB, today it can already be found in smartphones of 2017, as well as external batteries, headphones and other devices. Galagram explains why new Type-C is better regular micro USB, as well as what bonuses owners of equipment with the new port standard receive.

3 Key Benefits of USB Type-C

It charges gadgets faster

The USB Implementers Forum, which is the industry association behind the development of the port, worked out the bugs in its micro USB creation and created USB Type-C with better specifications. Chargers with the new port are faster and typically charge smartphones at 15W. This is five times faster than most chargers using the old port. And most importantly, it does not create extra load to your battery.

Charging both ways

Not only do both ends of the cable look the same, they can also do the same thing on both ends, meaning you can tell which direction the current is flowing. In some cases, this leads to funny results when your smartphone starts charging the power bank.

If you have a lot of battery power left, you can help a friend by charging his smartphone using just Type-C cable. To do this, connect both smartphones with this cable and direct the current in the desired direction, that’s all!

Transfer data from smartphone to smartphone

You just need to open the file explorer on the device where you want to receive the files. This is a pre-installed application on many smartphone brands, but otherwise you can simply find it in the settings.

How USB Type-C works

USB (Universal Serial Bus) is a standard that defines cable, connectors, and digital communication. Its first version appeared in 1998 and replaced the PC interfaces that were popular at that time. The USB Type-C connector appeared in 2014. It has more pins than its predecessor, and they are arranged symmetrically. As a result, it doesn't matter which way you insert the cable - it's double-sided and works the same way.

This is a two-way 24 pin port

There are many differences between USB connectors and versions. They have different electrical characteristics, power and data transfer rate indicators. USB A and B connectors only have 4 pins, while USB 3.1 Type-C has 24 pins (standard pinout), which are needed to support higher currents and faster data transfer. In addition, the USB 3.1 standard increases data transfer speeds up to 10 Gb/s, and it also has innovative ways to charge devices.

The Type-C port specification requires the connector to withstand 100,000 connections per connector without signs of wear. If you connect the port, for example, two to three times a day, the cable should last more than 12 years. To meet these requirements and handle increased power flow, USB-C cables are usually made thicker than a classic micro USB cable.

What is Type-C for?

Many Android smartphones still have micro USB port. In most cases, devices are charged through it at a voltage of 5V and a current of 2A. More fast speed charging can only be achieved outside the USB specification: Qualcomm Quick Charge, OnePlus Dash Charge, Oppo Vooc and Samsung Adaptive Fast Charge are manufacturer standards that only work on devices of a certain brand.

Transfers more power than micro USB

The Type-C port provides up to 100W of power using an open, free, common power system limited only by the cable, power supply, or charging target. To minimize heat buildup and wear electronic components, Type-C compatible devices constantly negotiate voltage and current with each other. To recognize them, look for the USB logo on charger, which was adopted in August 2016.

Can transmit HDMI and audio signals

Type-C connectors can replace many other cables. The certification process for many signals and protocols has already been completed. These include VGA, DVI or HDMI, where the Type-C port simulates a display port, including protocol conversion. Of course, this requires appropriate hardware and software on the device, but this is up to the equipment manufacturers.

Xiaomi and LeEco are getting rid of the 3.5 mm port in favor of Type-C