The difference between micro usb and c. USB Type-C: the universal connector for everything. Below I have presented a list of the most interesting USB Type-C devices.

Date of: 14.05.2021

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

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

Development

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

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

The first common connector that gained great popularity and distribution was Type-B Mini. It is successfully used in phones, cameras, camcorders and allows you to connect devices to your computer. However, this should not be considered a big breakthrough, only the form has changed, the standard has remained the same - USB 2.0. In other words, the transmission speed has not increased.

The desire to minimize the dimensions of gadgets led to the creation of a new Type-B Micro. It continues to be the main protagonist of the vast majority of modern technology, but cannot offer users great benefits.

The real breakthrough was the USB 3.0 specification, which radically changed the outlook on many things. The new interface made it possible to increase the data transfer rate up to 5 Gbps. Changes also affected the internal structure. The new 3.0 introduces a 9-pin group (in 2.0 there were only 4 pins).

The latest step towards 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 up to 10 Gb / s. The new standard also allows for 100W of charge transfer.

The standard consists of 24 pins: two rows of 12 pins. 8 pins of the USB 3.1 interface are used for high-speed data exchange. Pins B8 and A8 (SUB1 and 2) are used to transmit analog signals to the 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 simply another physical modification that has received support for USB 3.1. But do not rush to conclusions, as there are a number of advantages that the new connector offers:

Security. The connector is reversible, i.e. you can connect the cable in any position. This ensures complete safety and safety of the gadget from breakdowns, which are accompanied by bent or broken contacts.
Versatility. Fully compatible with all older generation standards, starting with USB 1.1.
Independence. Type-C, which supports USB 3.1, can power connected devices up to 100W. Simply put, when connected, there is not only a full-fledged power supply, but also recharging the batteries of other gadgets, as from "".
compactness. The connector has very small dimensions, therefore it is actively used in the production of modern and tablets.

disadvantages

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 for technical equipment, but there are weighty 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 does not make sense, since the maximum data transfer rate and power support will not be provided.

Most 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. Mass transition to USB Type-C will reduce the 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 distribution.

Secondly, even if two connected devices have Type-C, getting all the benefits may not be available. This is due to the imperfect technology of processing and transmitting information of 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 the maximum speed.

Yes, the new technology is available, it is being used, but it is still a long way from a full transition. 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.

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

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 right for it? This guide will help you determine the type of USB connector and choose the right plug for it.

Variety of options

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

In the mid 1990s. the universal bus has become an industry standard that has streamlined 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 deal with all the varieties of USB.

If the standard was meant to be universal, why are there so many different types? Each one serves a different purpose, mainly to ensure 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 more than one port of this shape. In addition, 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 recognizable and used. The USB Type-A pinout is as follows:

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

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

Type B

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

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

Again, as in the case of Type-A, the physical compatibility of different versions does not mean 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 (host) case, 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 you can see on the end of almost every USB cable plugged into a host slot today. Most often, Type-A ports are equipped with desktop computers, game consoles and media players.

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

Advantages of USB

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

The standard defines how peripherals interact with the host. If you are not using USB On the Go (OTG), which allows you to restrict host capabilities, a direct connection is made. The USB device is not capable of initiating communication, only the host can do this, so even if there is a cable with the appropriate connectors, the connection will not work without it. Also, because wires carry both power and data, connecting two hosts without an intermediate device can be disastrous, causing high currents, short circuits, and even fires.

Mini

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

+5V - voltage +5 V.
D- - data.
D+ - data.
ID - host/receptor identifier.
GND is 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 an Apple-branded 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. Increasingly used as a standard for laptops and even some phones and tablets, it has been approved by Apple for Thunderbolt 3.

Type C is new 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 a new MacBook with a single USB-C port. Most likely, this will be the beginning 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 an Android phone or tablet definitely have a micro USB cable as well. Even the most die-hard Apple fans can't avoid them, as this is 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 the same time.

When shopping for a micro-USB cable, it can be tempting to go for the cheapest option, but as is often the case, this is a bad idea. Poor quality wires and plugs can easily break and become useless. Therefore, it is better to save yourself from future problems by purchasing a quality product from a recognized manufacturer, even if it costs a little more.

Another thing worth mentioning is the length of the cable. The short ones are great for transportation, but because of this, you often have to sit on the floor next to a power outlet while the phone is charging. Conversely, a cable that is too long can be awkward to carry, tangle, and 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, perfect for playing Pokemon Go or just using your phone while traveling for long periods of time.

If you frequently charge from third-party USB ports, in order to comply with security measures, or when the device charges slowly, a special cable that prevents data transfer can solve the problem. The alternative is a network adapter.

Another problem can be the fact that the connectors of most USB cables (except USB-C) are not interchangeable and often require several attempts to make a correct connection. Some manufacturers have tried to fix this. True, 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 there is an external drive, a laptop and a smartphone. What needs to be done to copy files from a disk to a phone? The easiest way is to move them from an external drive to a laptop, and from it to a smartphone. USB OTG allows you to connect a drive directly to your phone, thus bypassing the need for an intermediary.

And that is 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 networked world, wired connections between various electronic devices play an important role. The demand for them is so high that tens of millions of USB cables are produced every year in the world.

Technologies are constantly evolving and improving, as well as their corresponding peripherals. 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 best suited for certain functions. To do this, it is necessary to understand their basic differences.

USB types

The different versions of USB, such as 2.0 and 3.0, are related to 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 bandwidth of 12 Mbps, a voltage of 2.5 V, and a current of 500 mA.

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

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

USB 3.1, in effect since 2015, provides 10 Gb/s at 20V, 5A.

The latest standard provides higher throughput and is mostly backwards compatible with 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 faster speeds are only available if all components are USB 3 compatible. Standard-B and micro versions have extra pins to increase throughput and are not compatible with previous versions. Older USB Type-B and micro-B cables and connectors 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 Type-C design.

Physically, the connector is similar to the existing USB Micro-B variant. Its dimensions are 8.4 x 2.6 mm. Thanks to its small form factor, it can easily fit into even the smallest peripherals in use today. One of the many advantages of Type-C over other existing solutions is that it allows 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 do not have to worry about it being upside down.

Type-C supports the USB 3.1 standard and provides a maximum speed of 10 Gbps. It also has a significantly higher output power of up to 100W at 20V and 5A. Since laptops typically draw 40-70W, this means Type C easily covers their power requirements. Another functionality offered by USB Type-C is bi-directional power. In other words, you can not only charge your smartphone through a laptop, but 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 get rid of the tangled tangle of wires in your desk drawer.

Although the specifications were first published in 2014, the technology was not truly implemented until 2016. Today, it has become a real replacement not only for the old USB standards, but also for others such as Thunderbolt and DisplayPort. The new Type-C based 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 - better power delivery.

connector shape

USB Type-C is a tiny new connector barely the size of 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 beyond to modern devices, it has remained the same. The connector is as massive as ever and only plugs in when oriented correctly (which obviously never works the first time). But as devices got smaller and thinner, massive ports just didn't fit. This has led to many other forms of USB connectors such as Mini and Micro.

This inconvenient array of connectors of various shapes for devices of various sizes is finally a thing of the past. Type C is the new standard for very small sizes. It is about a third of the old USB Type-A. This is a single standard that all devices must use, so you only need one cable to connect an external drive to a laptop or charge a smartphone from a charger. This tiny connector is small enough to fit into an ultra-thin smartphone, but powerful enough to connect all your peripherals through it. The cable itself has the same 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 multiple times to find the correct position. This is a single form of USB connector that everyone should accept, so there is no need to have a lot of different USB cables with different plugs for different devices. And there will not be many different ports taking up scarce space on ever thinner gadgets.

What's more, Type-C connectors can also support various protocols using "alternate modes" that allow you to have adapters capable of outputting HDMI, VGA, DisplayPort, or other types of connections from that single connection. good example This is an Apple multiport adapter that allows you to connect HDMI, VGA, USB Type-A and Type-C. Thus, many connectors on conventional laptops can be reduced to ports of the same 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. The specification supported by the USB-C standard provides for power delivery up to 100W. This connection is bidirectional, so the device is capable of both charging and charging through it. At the same time, data transfer can take place. The port allows you to charge even a laptop, which usually requires up to 60 watts.

Google's Apple MacBook and Chromebook Pixel use USB-C for charging, eliminating the need for branded power cables. At the same time, it becomes possible to charge laptops from portable batteries, which are usually used to recharge smartphones and other electronics. And if you connect a laptop to an external display powered by the mains, then its battery will be charged.

However, keep in mind that the presence of a Type C connector does not automatically support USB PD. 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 bandwidth of 10 Gb/s, twice the data transfer rate of the first generation of Thunderbolt and USB 3.0.

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

backward compatibility

The Type C physical connector, unlike the base standard, is not backwards compatible. You can't plug older USB devices into today's tiny Type-C port, and you can't plug a USB-C plug into an older, larger port. But this does not mean that you have to get rid of all the old periphery. USB 3.1 is still backwards compatible, so all you need is a physical USB-C dongle. 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 connectors, as implemented, for example, in the Chromebook Pixel. Thus, users will be able to gradually migrate from old devices by connecting new ones to USB Type-C. But even if the computer is made only with 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, this technology is not limited to them. Over time, devices of all types will be equipped with it. One day, the standard may even replace the Lightning connector used in iPhones and iPads. The Apple port doesn't have many advantages over USB Type-C other than that the technology is proprietary and the company may charge licensing fees.

Today I will tell you about various USB type-C cables. And I will try to dispel doubts about their expediency. The review contains cables from Orico, which are designed to connect your device with a newfangled connector to a computer or other device with USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 ports.

The USB type-C connector is only gaining popularity and many have not only “not seen it”, but also do not understand what innovations are behind it. On the basis of which opinions like “everything will burn” and “why do I need another connector?” Are distributed.

I will try to tell in my own words. The rest can find the specification "USB Type-C Specification Release 1.1.pdf". .

In the text, I use the word "connector" as a generic word for the concepts of "connector", "socket", "connector", "port", etc.

Historical information

And now on the fingers. A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, a data transfer specification called "USB" v1.0 was developed. Then USB 1.1 struck back. USB 2.0 went to the masses. And USB 3.0, although not universally, has successfully settled in various devices. The USB 3.1 standard introduced clarifications and amendments. And, most importantly, each standard had a bunch of corresponding connectors. By connector for different types of devices with different purposes and partial backward compatibility - USB type-A, USB micro-A, USB Micro-B SuperSpeed.
It was the accumulated diversity and incomplete compatibility that brought confusion, inconvenience and gave rise to many jokes. So, the new USB type-C standard has become a “new hope”. It doesn't change the data transfer standard (but it actually adds). This is a connector standard that combines the advantages of the connectors of all previous USB standards and avoids their disadvantages.

USB type-C properties

Main new introductions:
- one connector for everything (for printers, smartphones, flash drives ... monitors!)
- mirror connector (no need to guess which side to insert it)
- small dimensions (it is slightly larger than micro USB)
- the connector is very securely fixed in the socket (hooray!)
- must withstand up to 10,000 connections
- the connector supports USB 1.0 - USB 3.1 standards
- it offers devices to independently decide who will be the master/slave and power source/consumer
- the cable can be passive and active (with electronics inside)

Main old introductions:
- the standard does not define the length of the wire, it is already defined in the data transmission standards
- the connector can withstand up to 5A, but this is described in the BC1.2 and Power Delivery standards

Next, you can talk about DisplayPort integration, audio transmission and more. And I will try to do this in future reviews, but for now, let's look at the implementation of three USB type-C cables with backward compatibility.

Unboxing

And only now consider the received package. Got to the review

Each of them is packed in a bag, in a cardboard box and in one more bag. Two of the three boxes were wrinkled during transportation. All cables are exactly 1 meter long, 3 mm thick (except LCU-10-BK, it is 4 mm). The wires are a little stiff and are happy to return to their old position.

Pinout

What brings versatility to backwards compatibility?
In the USB 2.0 - USB 3.1 standards, master/slave roles are defined through the shape of the connector.
In the USB type-C standard, master/slave roles are defined through a pull-up resistor to ground or power. So plugging in just one cable tells the USB type-C device what to expect on the other end.

test bench

The stand itself looks like this.

I have already tested various cables on it, so there is something to compare. The charger is powerful enough and has good output voltage stability. The tester used can load the charger with a current of a given value and save all measurement data.

The table contains the results of cable measurements at different currents.

* Direct column shows voltages without any cable. The rest of the columns need to be compared with Direct and with each other.
* the gray column of ECU10bk shows the result of turning on the USB type-C connector by the other side.
* the rest of the gray columns contain some of the cables I measured earlier.

Summary

So far, there are very few devices with a new connector, and the article is intended for those lucky ones who
who are looking for similar "bridges" between generations.

* The USB type-C connector showed itself in all its glory. It is easily inserted, firmly held and removed with effort. And it has a mirror arrangement of contacts.

* the most popular cable ECU-10-BK (USB type-C to USB type-A) showed good results. It can painlessly pass through itself about 2A. But yes, he does not reach his meter relatives.

* a slightly specific cable LCU-10-BK (USB type-C to micro USB 3.0) suddenly showed completely identical results with different cable thicknesses and different connectors. Even strange somehow.

* what happened to the MCU-10-BK (USB type-C to micro USB 2.0) cable I can't say. Maybe it's just a marriage.

P.S. speed characteristics will be checked, but in another review.

The product was provided for writing a review by the store. The review is published in accordance with clause 18 of the Site Rules.

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Recent changes and improvements in USB technology are expanding the choice of interfaces for users. Initially, the USB Implementers Forum renamed the USB 3.0 interface to USB 3.1 Gen 1. specifications interfaces remain the same. Then the forum introduced USB 3.1 Gen 2 and a new type of physical connector, which was called USB Type C. We decided to shed light on the situation around these standards and connectors.

USB 3.1 technology

USB 3.1 Gen 1 (formerly USB 3.0) technology is currently supported as a standard on the latest operating systems. macOS systems, Linux and Windows. The interface provides a maximum theoretical throughput of 5 Gb/s and an actual throughput of up to 3.4 Gb/s and up to 900 mA current for devices. Unlike USB 2.0, version 3.1 operates in full duplex mode, in other words, data can be sent and received at the same time.

USB 3.1 Gen 2 offers users twice the bandwidth of Gen 1: 10Gbps. USB 3.1 Gen 2 is not a standard for Intel or AMD, but may be supported by third party drivers and controllers. While Gen 2 has received minor protocol changes, it is backwards compatible with Gen 1.

Scope of USB 3.1

So, USB 3.1 technology provides the user with significantly increased performance compared to USB 2.0. When using removable drives, faster data transfer will be provided: large video files and images. USB 3.1 will provide support for high resolutions and frame rates for cameras used in machine vision systems on production lines. Accordingly, PTZ cameras used both in video surveillance systems and in video conferencing systems without using a hardware codec can support 1080p60 resolution and higher. Undoubtedly, this improves the quality and reduces the cost of video conferencing systems, and also allows users to connect their own devices to Skype and WebEx.

USB 3.1 pinout

Like USB 3.0, USB 3.1 received additional pins to support SuperSpeed. The D+ and D- pins remain the same, including (power) and (ground). To serve the SuperSpeed bus, two additional twisted pairs were added, which provide bidirectional SuperSpeed data transmission: StdA_SSRX+ and StdA_SSRX- (reception) and SSTX+ and StdA_SSTX (transmission).

USB Type C

The new physical connector type brings a significant quality change that sets it apart from USB 3.1 Gen 1 and Gen 2. Type C supports data transfer rates up to 40 Gbps (Thunderbolt 3 Alternate Mode) and up to 100 watts of current. Many have already appreciated the shape of the connector: it can be inserted in either direction. Both connector and connector are quite compact and much more durable than alternatives such as micro USB. The cables have been marked with an electronic chip for proper use and to prevent situations where it is not compatible or transmitting too much power to a device that does not support it. Type C is backward compatible with USB 2.0, 3.1 Gen 1 and 3.1 Gen 2.

Type C can both consume and provide power. The same port can be used both for connecting a flash drive and for charging a laptop. In addition, charging from Type C devices such as smartphones and tablets is faster.

Alternate Modes

USB Type C can work in the so-called alternative modes, which allow you to transfer not only USB data through the connector and cables. In this case, other physical protocols are involved, and with each of them, current transmission with a power of up to 100 watts is provided.

Alternate DisplayPort Mode– Supports video transmission up to 4Kp60 4:4:4 with DisplayPort version 1.3. Simultaneous transmission of USB 3.1 Gen 2 and USB 2.0.
Mobil High-Definition Link (MHL) Alternate Mode- support for video transmission with a resolution of up to 4Kp60 (1 line) or up to 8Kp60 (4 lines) using MHL 1.0, support for USB 2.0 and 3.1 depending on the configuration.
Thunderbolt 3 Alternate Mode– Support for up to two displays with resolutions up to 4Kp60, PCIe 3.0, DisplayPort, USB 2.0 and 3.1 transfer, depending on configuration.
HDMI Alternate Mode– support for HDMI 1.4b specification (4Kp30, 4Kp60 4:2:0), without support for USB 3.1 simultaneous transfer in any configuration.

USB-C Trends

Features and benefits of USB Type C, of course, will be reflected in the increase in the presence of the connector in mobile devices and laptops. Among devices with this type of connector, flash drives, various docking stations, monitors and adapters for legacy interfaces are expected. By 2019, delivery of up to two billion various devices is expected.

Shown in 2015 a new version Macbook Air. At the presentation, Tim Cook, the head of Apple, as usual, spoke about the new features and capabilities of the device. There was one detail in it that interested not only Apple adherents. As you might have guessed, it was a brand new USB Type-C connector.

What it is?

USB Type-C is the evolution of the Universal Serial Bus (USB) format that you've probably heard of and is perhaps the most common technology in mobile and peripherals.

This is precisely evolution, not revolution, although some individual moments can be called revolutionary. So, USB Type-C allows you to transfer not only files, but even videos!

Immediately I want to talk about the designations USB Type-C and USB 3.1. They do not mean the same thing, although they go hand in hand: USB Type-C is a USB specification, USB 3.1 is essentially a numerical designation that refers to data transfer speed. Roughly speaking, USB Type-C works on USB 3.1 technology. By the way, the data transfer rate is very high - over 1200 MB / s versus 500 MB / s for USB 3.0!

Compare USB Type-C and USB Type-A:

And here is a comparison of USB Type-C and microUSB (one of the most popular formats used in the mobile field):

What is the advantage of USB Type-C?

As it was written above, in the data transfer rate. But this is not the only advantage of this technology. So, USB 3.1 has a large maximum power, which means that it will soon be possible to connect additional devices like speakers without an additional power source. Just imagine - you took the speakers to nature, connected them using USB Type-C and listen to music!

Another huge plus is the current strength as much as 5A. This allows you to charge your smartphone, tablet or any other device much faster. The main thing is that this device supports fast charging technology.

Finally, now the plug can be inserted in any direction - it is symmetrical. Until recently, this pleasure was available only for the iPhone and iPad, and now it is available for all other devices that use USB Type-C technology.

What devices use USB Type-C?

Many. These include laptops, tablets and smartphones. Probably in the future, the transition to USB Type-C devices on Android based significantly accelerated, since Google advised manufacturers to use this particular interface in their future updates.

Laptop from Google: