If you own any modern gadget, be it a smartphone, laptop, headphones or even a game controller, there’s a good chance that it will sport a USB-C port.
USB-C is quickly becoming the universal port of choice in the technology world, both for power delivery and data transfer. This universal adoption means you won’t need to worry about stocking multiple cable types, being able to use a single charger for multiple devices, which is not only more sustainable but also more convenient.
The initial universal adoption of USB-C was a slow process, especially as Apple took its time to ditch the iPhone Lightning port for USB-C, only doing so back in 2023 with the iPhone 15 series.
But what exactly is USB-C, and how does it compare to alternative connection types such as USB-A, HDMI and Lightning? Why was Apple under pressure to adopt the port in the first place? We’ve created this guide to explain everything you need to know about USB-C.
What is USB-C?
USB-C is an industry-standard connector that can charge a device as well as transmit data, making it one of the most convenient and versatile port options currently available.
One of the most appealing aspects about USB-C is that it offers multiple functions beyond charging up the battery. For example, the Nintendo Switch and the Nintendo Switch 2 use USB-C to output their display to an external TV, while USB-C can also be used to transfer data (such as documents, photos and videos) between devices.
Its popularity and benefits have also seen it accepted by PC manufacturers since it can transfer data at high speeds, which we’ll go into more detail with later. This is useful for transferring large video files and the like. However, because USB-C currently has restrictions on how much power can be transferred through it, the port connection is generally not used for power delivery on high-end systems like gaming laptops.
How fast is USB-C?
It’s important to note that not all USB-C connections are the same. This means the power delivery and data transfer speeds will differ between devices, depending on which iteration of USB-C is being used.
It’s best to think of USB-C as the physical connector, while the likes of USB 2.0, USB 3.1, USB 3.2, USB4, USB4 v2, Thunderbolt 3, Thunderbolt 4 and Thunderbolt 5 will determine the level of performance instead.
Thunderbolt 5 is currently the most powerful version of USB-C, allowing up to 120Gbps speeds for data transmission, as well as up to 240W charging.
Although it’s been available for some, time Thunderbolt 5 still seems reserved for more premium devices, such as the MacBook Pro M5 Pro or M5 Max. Instead, many more devices offer Thunderbolt 4 support instead. Just make sure to check the performance speeds of the USB-C connector for each individual device.
If you’re not sure how the Gbps speed metric relates to real-world performance, Belkin claims that 10Gb/s translates to transferring a high definition feature-length film over to another device in just 30 seconds when working at peak performance.
Looking at the charging front, USB-C can go up to 240 watts. For comparison, Apple’s Lightning charger capped out at just 30W.
So while it is convenient to use the same charger between your tablet, laptop and phone, it’s also the more powerful option, which should result in less time waiting around waiting for your phone’s battery to be fully replenished.
Is USB-C the same as Thunderbolt?
USB-C and Thunderbolt are not the same thing, and so shouldn’t be mixed up.
USB-C is just the name of the physical oval-shaped port. This means that all Thunderbolt technology uses the USB-C connector, but this isn’t true vice versa as there are other compatible connectivity standards such as USB 3.2 Gen 1 etc.
Thunderbolt has its own features and max speeds, with new iterations intermittently released as the technology improves.
Thunderbolt 5 is the latest iteration, supporting up to 120Gb/s, making data transfer even faster. Thunderbolt can also move as much as 240W of power over an interface, which further adds to its impressive speed and overall benefits.
Thunderbolt can be used to transfer large data or media files (such as 4K video) over to a computer or PC without long waiting times.
It can be seen as the supercharger version of a USB-C connector, with Intel deciding to stick to the universal connector to ensure cables are backwards compatible and can work with a large range of devices.
What’s the difference between USB and USB-C?
We’ll start by explaining what USB actually is. Short for Universal Serial Bus, USB is a technology that’s used to connect computers to external devices such as printers, keyboards or controllers. USB is also used for charging devices via an adaptor or power bank, and transferring files from one device to another.
Most computers and peripherals will sport some kind of USB port, whether that’s USB-A, USB-B (usually reserved for printers and scanners) or a USB-C connection.
With the above in mind, the “difference” between USB and USB-C is just that the latter is a type of the former. Both are designed to connect two devices together, but USB is the umbrella term for the different types of ports, such as USB-C for example.
Does the iPhone use USB-C?
Since the launch of the iPhone 15 back in September 2023, all iPhones have sported a USB-C port in lieu of the rather dated Lightning alternative. Apple was seemingly reluctant to move ahead with this change, however an EU court ruling essentially forced the brand, alongside other smartphone manufacturers, to opt for the USB-C port as standard.
It’s a welcome move too, as it means regardless of whether you’re an iOS or Android user, you’ll be able to use the same cables.
How can I tell if my USB cable is A or C?
The easiest way to determine whether you have a USB-A or USB-C port is simply by looking at the shape. USB-A has a rectangular shape that can only plug into a port one way, whereas USB-C is more of an oval and can be plugged in either way round. While some devices do still sport USB-As, USB-C is undoubtedly more of an industry standard now.
Even so, if you have an older computer or other device with USB-A ports, it is still possible to connect your USB-C device, with the help of an external adapter.
