USB-C
USB-C is the connector of the past, present, and future. All connectors from the USB family (and even some outside of USB) will eventually be replaced by this unique connector. You can use it to charge your smartphone, power your laptop, connect a mouse, keyboard or headphones, external graphics card, game console, gaming peripherals, smart home devices and much more.
More about USB-C
Almost everyone is familiar with USB-C, which is found on almost every newer smartphone and, thanks to a new EU directive, will become the only charging connector for many portable devices. Thanks to its continuous development, USB-C is becoming increasingly universal, much more so than other types of USB connectors.
Versions and compatibility
USB has several versions, which have been renamed several times. The table below will help you get a better overview:
| Version name | Original version name | Previous version name | Marketing name | Transfer speed | USB-C support |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USB 1.0 | Low Speed | 1.5 Mbps | No (obsolete) | ||
| USB 1.1 | Full Speed | 12 Mbps | No (obsolete) | ||
| USB 2.0 | High Speed | 480 Mbps | Yes | ||
| USB 3.2 gen 1 | USB 3.1 gen 1 | USB 3.0 | SuperSpeed USB 5Gbps | 5Gbps | Yes |
| USB 3.2 gen 2 | USB 3.1 gen 2 | SuperSpeed USB 10Gbps | 10Gbps | Yes | |
| USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 | SuperSpeed USB 20Gbps | 20Gbps | Yes | ||
| USB 4.0 Gen 2x2 | USB4 20Gbps | 20Gbps | Yes | ||
| USB 4.0 Gen 3x2 | USB4 40Gbps | 40Gbps | Yes | ||
| USB 4.0 Gen 4 symmetrical | USB4 80Gbps | 80Gbps | Yes | ||
| USB 4.0 Gen 4 asymmetrical | USB4 80Gbps | 80Gbps | Yes |
Be careful to choose the right version of USB-C
You need to pay close attention when choosing a USB-C cable. The fact that some USB-A to USB-C cables only offer the speed and features of the USB 2.0 standard can usually only be determined by the label on the cable. Cables with specifications from USB 3.2 Gen 1 to USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 are labeled "SS" (short for SuperSpeed, see table above), usually with a number that indicates the transfer speed and thus the exact version of the specification. For USB 4.0 2x2 and higher, only the transfer speed is indicated. This marking can be found on the connector cover. They are almost identical in appearance.
USB 4.0 gen 2x2 vs USB 3.2 gen 2x2
Both standards offer the same speed, so what is the difference between them? USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 sends only pure USB 3 packets, while USB 4.0, which is based on the Thunderbird 3.0 standard, sends USB 3, PCIe, and DisplayPort packets, achieving better results when connecting a USB-C monitor, for example. Thus, USB 4.0 2x2 is slightly more versatile and technologically advanced. But if the main requirement is only transfer speed, USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 is perfectly adequate.
PowerDelivery
Standard USB-C offers a maximum rated power of 15W (5V/3A) and has a voltage limit of 5V. However, if the cable and device are Power Delivery certified, the device can request much higher power, which is mainly used for powering and charging various devices that support this power. There are currently two types of Power Delivery certification: SPR (Standard Power Range) and EPR (Extended Power Range).
With SPR, the voltage limit is increased to 20V, allowing for higher rated power. For USB-C cables with a maximum allowable current of 3A, they can achieve a power of 60W. For USB-C with a maximum allowable current of 5A, this maximum power increases to 100W.
EPR offers a rated power of up to 240W, which is sufficient even for powering more powerful laptops.