The Mini and Micro connectors are considered smaller forms of type-B, even though "type-B" is usually not in their name. Here's how to read this chart: BLUE means that the plug type from a certain USB version is compatible with the receptacle type from a certain USB version.

On the most basic level, USB standards simply let a host, such as your computer … Notice that micro-USB devices that support USB 3.x have a different plug. If your phone has a USB-C port, try Anker's USB OTG adapter instead. However, most of the time, this is a bad idea.

You'll frequently see this on external hard drives. Some laptops and tablets feature a USB-C port; the Nintendo Switch uses it for power too. USB connection types are only half of the story, as USB has also gone through multiple standards of varying data transfer speeds. Another functionality that Type-C offers is bi-directional power; in other words, it means that you can not only charge your smartphone through your laptop, but also the other way around!

Why Is It So Special? Short cables are great for portability, but that can leave you sitting on the floor next to a power outlet as it charges. This connector can support USB 3.0 SuperSpeed application and also carry USB 2.0 low speed data in the same time. For example, a USB Type-C cable. This handy chart is intended to help with that. The standard, universal connector found on virtually every desktop PC and older laptops, as well as TVs, game consoles and media players.

This is to prevent potential damage that would be caused by connecting two computers via USB-A, for example. However, USB cables come in different shapes and sizes despite the fact a lot of them do the same things. What’s The Difference Between Butterflies And Moths.

USB Type-B connectors are primarily for connecting printers and scanners to computers. However, not all devices support OTG. Most newer cell phones and digital cameras use a type a Mini-B connector, which is shaped like a type B connector… The most popular type of USB standard is Type A, which you can see at one end (the end that goes inside the slot of the host) of almost every USB cable nowadays. However, USB-C to USB-A cables are also common, allowing for compatibility with older devices. They have a square shape with beveled exterior corners on the top ends.

Why Is Liquid Body Armor Better Than A Bulletproof Vest? We hope you like the items we recommend! When it's time to buy a new cable, it's tempting to pick the cheapest option.

With these cables, the type is whichever end of the cable isn’t the standard USB Type-A connector. Most users are familiar with the type A USB ports on their computers, as virtually every peripheral device on the market these days uses them. However, what is the one thing, in one form or the other, that all these devices have in common? Subscribe to our mailing list and get interesting stuff and updates to your email inbox. On Oct. 22, 2009, the international Telecommunication Union (ITU) announced to include Micro-USB interface into the Universal Charging Solution (UCS) that has been adopted broadly by industry. Inheriting the same design to the A-Type connector used in USB 2.0 & USB 1.1 application, USB 3.0 A is also provides a "downstream" connection that is designed for use only on host controllers and hubs. It's smaller, reversible, and fast. Due to its small size, it can easily fit into even the smallest of peripheral devices that we use today.

While desktop computers still have USB ports on the back side of the tower, where it is difficult to access them, they now also have them on the front of the tower, usually underneath the disk drives. In the last few years a numbers of laptops and cellphones have appeared on the market with C style USB connectors. This makes replacing a USB cable a troublesome task, especially when the differences between each may seem trivial to the inexperienced. Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day, How to Connect Your USB-C Mac to Older Peripherals, The 5 Best USB Flash Drives to Store Music in 2020, BLUE means that the plug type from a certain USB version is compatible with the receptacle type from a certain USB version, GRAY means that the plug or receptacle doesn't exist in that USB version. 7 Scientifically Inaccurate Things They Show in Movies: Most Common Movie Mistakes and Myths. Its plug is made in such a way that you can stick it inside the slot without worrying about it being upside down. For more information about USB versions, you can refer to this table: Before trying to understand the differences between types A and B, let’s first explain the definitions of a host, a receptor and a port. Most computer users are familiar with Universal Serial Bus (USB), which has become the most commonly used way to connect peripheral devices to a computer. Thunderbolt cables work as USB-C cables too. The other of the most common types of these connectors is a little more square in shape, although there is a notch taken out of two of the corners to make sure that the user inserts it correctly. It measures 8.4 mm by 2.6 mm. A USB 3.0 B plug cannot be plugged in to a USB 2.0 B socket due to its plug shape change. It's a small difference in price, but it's worth it. Ports for USB connectors are now found on almost any kind of computer device. Most USB cables have two types of connectors, one on each end. The biggest advantage of USB-C is that it’s reversible and can be plugged in either up or down. However, as USB became even more popular with other devices like smartphones, and USB 2.0 and USB 3.2 were developed, other connectors became more common, confusing the USB landscape. USB Type-C (referred to as Type-C, hereafter) made the headlines of tech periodicals around the world when the latest variant of Apple’s 12-inch Macbook was launched.

USB-C cables work as Thunderbolt cables, but cheap ones might not sustain the speed properly. USB-C, previously known as USB Type-C, is the latest king of the hill. Why are there so many different USB cable types? And with good reason, considering that almost every electronic device requires a special component (a USB cable) that enables it to connect with a host of other electronic devices.

USB On-The-Go (OTG) is a standard available on many Android phones that allows portable devices to act as USB hosts. USB-C can be adapted to work with each of these legacy connectors. Similar to USB B type connector, USB mini B sockets are used on USB peripheral devices, but in a smaller form factor. Based on physical design of the plugs and ports the three different types of USB cable are: USB Type A, USB Type B and USB Type C. Based on the functionality of USB connectors there are also two different versions of USB: USB 2.0 and USB 3.0. If you have an older Android phone or tablet, it likely uses a micro-USB cable. It should be noted that regular laptops usually have a power consumption in the range of 40-70 Watts, which means that Type-C easily covers their power requirements. Also known as USB standard A connector, the USB A connector is primarily be used on … Ubiquitous to modern society, USB tech can be found in at least one or more devices people use on a daily basis. In fact, Apple's MacBook line only has a single USB-C port, with the new MacBook Pros packing several-C ports. In the early days of USB-C, many cables were incorrectly configured and could damage devices. iPhone users should always look for MFi-certified products. What are Glial Cells: Definition, Types, Functions of Glial Cells | Role in Psychology. The cable's connector doesn't necessarily mean it uses a certain standard. You’ll find it on older models of various gadgets especially cameras, MP3 players, and game controllers, among others. He likes Harry Potter and the Avengers, and obsesses over how thoroughly Science dictates every aspect of life… in this universe, at least. Newnex's interactive and user-friendly cable configurator is capable for incorporatingdifferent types of connectors and cables for creating custom cable assemblies for your special needs. We've covered the types of USB connectors, USB transfer standards, how to buy a quality cable, and more. USB drives, which are small, mobile data storage devices, usually have type A connectors on one end, which plug directly into the USB ports on a computer. In general, the cables you'll use the most, and therefore need to replace, are micro-USB, USB-C, and Lightning. All these devices have their own uses and therefore, each functions in its own unique way. Are Giant Insects Larger Than Humans Possible?

Screw lock Micro B connectors are often used in cabling to ensure secure interconnection. Of course, there are many other types of computer cables you need to know about! The type-A end powers the device, while the type-B end receives power. Note that to enable OTG feature, special wiring connection needs to be implemented in the cable assembly. A USB hub can help connect USB devices to computers with different types of connectors. These are the many types of USB cables that are in use today. Why Are There Stones Alongside Railway Tracks? Unlike USB-A, cables with USB-C connectors on both ends are standard and allow full utilization of its powers. However, USB 3.0 Type A processes additional pins that are not in the USB 2.0 A Type.

Also referenced as the SuperSpeed Micro USB B connector, this connector stacks five more pins on the side of the USB 2.0 Micro B connector to achieve the full USB 3.0 standard data transfer speed. Now that we’ve covered the different USB generations, let’s talk about the actual physical ports. Methusaleh: The oldest tree in the world | What's the mystery of trees' immortality? How Did Stephen Hawking’s Communication System Work? To clarify it all, let’s take a look at some of the basics. Here's everything you need to know about the USB standard. The mini B plug by default has 5 pins, including an extra ID pin to support USB On-The-Go (OTG), which allows mobile devices and other peripherals to act as a USB host. Use the USB physical compatibility chart below to see which USB plug (male connector) is compatible with which USB receptacle (female connector). He spends a lot of time watching movies, and an awful lot more time discussing them. The electronic device that you wish to charge or transfer data to (say, your smartphone or tablet) is called the receptor.

These are wide and flat, with a plastic piece inside that prevents the user from plugging them in upside down. It’s almost a certainty that in the coming years, every electronic device will support Type-C. They're also usually long enough to reach from an outlet to a desk. GRAY means that the plug or receptacle doesn't exist in that USB version.

These are usually used for On-The-Go (OTG) devices that need to connect to one another, rather than to a computer.