In our modern world, most of our electronics share data or connect in one way or another via USB cables – Just look around you. USB stands for Universal Serial Bus. However, don’t let the word “Universal” in the name mislead you.
There are different variations of these connector cables and they are used on different types of devices. So without further ado, let’s take a look at the different types…
Table of Contents
How Many Types of Universal Serial Bus Cables are there?
There are a total of five USB connector types and these are listed below.
USB-A
This connector is found on practically every game console, laptop, media player, or desktop computer that exists. It is usually on the other end of connectors like the B, Mini and Micro variations.
The A-type connectors are never on both ends of the cable. Aside from having no practical purpose, an A to A connector would affect the devices you’re trying to connect badly.
USB-B
Despite being newer than type-A connectors, these cables are not used very often these days. These type-B connectors are mostly used for devices like printers.
Micro USB
This connector is the most used today among portable devices. It is found on devices such as external power banks, Bluetooth headphones, and Android smartphones.
Mini USB
Many devices don’t use the Mini type cables these days because they have moved on to Micro variation. However, this type of connector can still be found on some devices such as mp3 players and some cameras.
USB-C
Unlike older connectors, the C-type connectors can be found at both ends of a cable without any adverse effect. This means that two devices can be connected with a C to C type cable. This connector type is now being integrated to more devices. Some C-type supporting ports on certain devices also support the Thunderbolt 3.
This hardware interface gives you the ability to connect your device to high-res displays and transfers data at incredible speeds. In short, you can use this for simple transfers or as a connector for multiple purposes.
You can visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXMr0R0ocgg for a visual explanation.
The Generations
Over the years, these connectors have had different generations and speed standards such as…
USB 1.1
In 1998, Universal Serial Bus came out in full force with the release of USB 1.1. This technology was only used by type-A and type-B cables. By today’s standards, the 1.1 would be considered prehistoric. There’s not much chance of finding this in any of today’s devices.
USB 2.0
The 1.1 was updated to USB 2.0 in the year 2000. Aside from having faster transfer rates, it supported more types of Universal Serial Bus connectors. In fact, this technology is still being used today in some external keyboards, mice, and cheap flash drives.
USB 3.0
Released in 2008, USB 3.0 brought even faster transfer rates than that of the 2.0. 3.0 cables have backwards-compatibility with 2.0 cables. This means that you can connect a 2.0 cable to a 3.0 device, or the other way round.
Keep in mind that connecting a 2.0 cable to a 3.0 device will limit transfer speed to that of a 2.0 device.
How Long Do Universal Serial Bus Cables Last?
The life-span of your cable depends on how you use it. The cords and connectors burn or wear out over time but if you use yours with care, they should last for maybe three to four years.
Do Universal Serial Bus Ports Go Bad?
Since they are exposed, the ports are at the mercy of dust and moisture. If dust gathers in it over time, it might start malfunctioning. It’s up to you to clean them from time to time. You can click here to learn how to do this.
Which Universal Serial Bus Cable Charges Fastest?
If your priority is charging your phone or other device as fast as possible, then your best bet would be to use a USB-C charger in a 3.0 port. This should charge your device significantly faster than a device with a 2.0 port.
Conclusion
Overall, Universal Serial Bus connectors are a very important parts of today’s technology. Without these cables, we wouldn’t be able to charge some of our portable devices.
When transferring data, we would be restricted to only using wireless (wireless transfer can be slow at times). These connectors have changed over the years, and they keep improving with every new update.
