USB Types

What is USB Type-A?

The common rectangular USB plug and socket. Type A is the port on the computer (the host). The ports on the peripheral or mobile device are Type B, Mini USB, Micro USB or Lightning. Before USB-C was introduced, Type A ports were found on every computer. Today, laptops are increasingly using only USB Type C, which is expected to eventually replace all USB connectors. 

What is USB Micro?

The very small USB port found on many non-Apple cellphones, tablets and other portable devices is a Micro USB socket. Considerably smaller than USB Type A and B, Micro USB is also half the thickness of Mini USB (see illustration below). Micro USB has been superseded by USB Type C on many new products.

What is USB Type-C?

With so many Macs and Windows laptops now featuring the interface, it's clear that the USB Type-C connector is here to stay. Here's why that's a good thing—and how to understand both its subtleties and where it's headed.

USB-C is an industry-standard connector for transmitting both data and power on a single cable. The USB-C connector was developed by the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF), the group of companies that has developed, certified, and shepherded the USB standard over the years. The USB-IF counts more than 700 companies in its membership, among them Apple, Dell, HP, Intel, Microsoft, and Samsung.

This broad acceptance by the big dogs is important, because it's part of why USB-C has been so readily accepted by PC manufacturers. Contrast this with the earlier Apple-promoted (and developed) Lightning and MagSafe connectors, which had limited acceptance beyond Apple products, and became obsolete thanks in no small part to USB-C.

Difference between USB Type C and USB Micro

USB Micro VS USB TYPE-C Charging Speed

From the aspect of charging speed, USB Type-C is faster than the micro USB connector. Besides, the USB Type-C provides a higher power supply than micro USB. Compared with Type C, micro USB is often used on some relatively old devices. Lots of Android phones are using the USB Type-C as their ongoing charging method.

As a new charging port, USB Type-C is becoming a widespread charging standard. USB Type-C is more flexible and faster than micro USB. According to a survey, Type-C port can be used to input or output power, while micro USB can only input power.

USB Type-C port has a fast charging speed for phones at 18 Watts and can charge laptops with a maximum of 100 Watts. However, the charging speed of micro USB only has a regular charging speed level on USB-A.

USB Micro VS USB TYPE-C Durability

When it comes to the durability of the two USB ports, many people believe that it would be better to switch from micro USB to USB C. Why? There are some common reasons as shown in the below:

• Reversibility: Due to its physical design, USB Type-C enables you to plug in the cable slide right no matter what orientation you choose. It is easy to plug in your devices, which will reduce wear.
• Future trend: More and more devices, especially Android phones, are choosing the micro USB Type C port. To get compatible with the newer phones, USB Type C is a better choice than the micro USB port.
• Versatility: USB Type-C is used to charge and transfer data like micro USB. Besides, it has many new options such as MTP file transfer, PTP photo transfer, MIDI input, etc.
• Cycles: From the aspect of a lifetime, both micro USB and USB C are designed with a minimum rated lifespan of 10,000 cycles (insertion and removal), but some users reported that using micro USB is easier to wear.

USB Micro VS USB TYPE-C Compatibility

Compatibility is also vitally important when choosing a micro USB or USB C connector. Micro USB was designed to make the devices slimmer so that you can connect it to the computers and hubs. However, micro USB has an obvious limitation on the plug-in method that you can only plug it right. If you plug it improperly, it won’t work.

USB Type-C tends to be used on most new mobile devices especially Samsung. Well, some modern laptops also are produced with Type-C USB ports. The biggest advantage is the “one-size-fits-all” design that enables you to use it on those common gadgets and peripherals. For instance, you can use it on smartphones, cameras, game controllers, printers, and HDMI.

When it comes to the physical compatibility of USB, it is necessary to compare their connectors including the male connector (plug) and the female connector (receptacle). The male connector fits inside your devices, and the female connector is the port that you attach to.

USB Micro VS USB TYPE-C Which Is Better

USB-C vs micro USB, which one is better? I believe you already have known the answer, right? There is no doubt that USB Type C wins micro USB in many aspects such as data transfer speed, durability, compatibility, and charging speed.

Although micro USB is more affordable than Type C, the fact is that their prices are not much different. Compared with those outstanding pros of Type C, its price almost can be ignored. Besides, more and more devices are designed with Type C port, which is an important reason to choose it. To sum up, it is highly recommended that you switch from micro USB to USB C.