The future of USB: Type C connector and other innovations. USB Types: A Guide to Various Standards

New standards are constantly replacing old ones. And now it's time for a really significant transition, because the introduction of a new format for the most common port - USB has begun. Let's find out what the newly-minted Type-C will bring us.

In fact, the format itself was approved quite a long time ago. At one time we even on our site. But the path of the standard to the final consumer devices is not easy. Things like ports should be put into production at a fairly early level, so it makes sense that the first real gadgets with the port in question are just now starting to appear.

The first more or less large commercial device with USB Type-C on board was a tablet. Although it was announced back in November last year, it only went on sale in China. And just the other day, two of the largest IT giants announced their new laptops, which are also equipped with the new USB standard. It's new from Apple and new from Google. And if there are two new ports in the Chromebook, which are accompanied by two “old” USBs, then in the MacBook it is the only one, except for the combined 3.5 mm jack.

The release of devices with the new port standard by such large companies means that the market for peripherals, for which any ports are conceived, will receive a strong impetus. Even though both of the aforementioned laptops will be very niche devices.

So what can be done with the new USB standard? First, let's clarify the materiel. The new connector is called Type-C. It is small, thin and symmetrical. A kind of golden mean between microUSB (aka Micro-B USB) and Lightning. Its physical dimensions will be 8.4 mm by 2.6 mm.

But at the same time, there is also a new USB 3.1 standard (this is not the same as a connector), which is supported by the new Type-C connector. The specifications have been taken a big step forward. Compared to USB 3.0, the data transfer rate has doubled, from 5 Gbps to 10 Gbps. At the same time, the ability to transmit power has also increased. Using the 3.1 standard, it is possible to transmit a current of 5 A at a voltage of 20 V. With the help of simple calculations, this is transformed into 100 W of power. In comparison, USB 3.0 was able to transfer 1.8A at 5V (9W). In addition, USB 3.1 can transfer current not only from the host to the recipient, but to do it in both directions, if necessary.

Now back to the question of what the new USB standard can give us. As you can see from the specs, it's now really ready to take on absolutely every function it can take on. When mankind invented connectors and plugs, at about the same moment the dream should have been born that there would be only one connector and one plug in the world, for absolutely any purpose. And now that dream is starting to take shape.

Using the USB 3.1 standard, you can transfer data, connect external displays, connect audio devices, transfer charge - i.e. the new standard has the potential to truly replace all existing ports.

While the new 12″ MacBook is a bit aggressive, it clearly shows that one port is enough. Or rather, everyone will probably eventually understand that one port is probably not enough (you need to somehow favorably distinguish the second generation of MacBook from the first, after all), but one type of port is enough. It is especially pleasing that now charging will be universal. And this means that all laptops can be charged with exactly the same cable as a smartphone. No more proprietary plugs that cost as much as a full laptop if lost. In addition, charging blocks will become smaller, neater and, again, will fit any device.

The big problem with the new standard is the lack of forward backward compatibility with older devices. But it's not as bad as many people think. A variant of cables with Type-C at one end and the “old” USB Type-A at the other is possible. Naturally, in this case, all 3.1 buns will not be available, but it will be limited by a smaller standard in the chain, but everything will work and this is a positive thing. Already now there are adapters. The one from Apple, for example, costs $ 79, but this does not mean at all that everything will be so bad and the Chinese will not quickly catch up.

It is unlikely that all manufacturers will now take and completely decide to abandon the old ports, but the sooner we switch to new ones, the better. Ask Apple users if they regret switching to Lightning? I am sure not, although for many it was painful. By the way, it is very interesting what port will be in the new iPad and iPhone, Lightning or USB-C?

As a result, we have a standard that has every chance to completely kill all competitors. It is quite possible that in the very near future, one thin cable will be enough for us to do absolutely everything with absolutely any device. And that is great.

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The industry is on the verge of new changes. Get ready to throw away all your USB and HDMI cables in the coming years. They will be replaced by the USB Type-C interface. The new format looks just brilliant on paper, but in real life there are still many questions about it. The main one is when to switch to it? Now let's figure everything out.

Why is USB Type-C the future?

The situation is obvious. The point is the versatility of the format, and this is always a plus. What can a regular USB do now? Only transfer data. Separate interfaces (HDMI, VGA, DVI) are required to connect a monitor and charge a laptop, which is inconvenient.

Type-C allows you to do everything at once. In addition to transferring files at speeds up to 10 GB / s, the interface can broadcast an image in 5K quality (5120x2880 pixels), power devices with a consumption of up to 100 W and a voltage of up to 20 V. And all this at the same time. In addition, the connector itself is small (8.4 x 2.6 mm) and double-sided. Gone are the attempts to blindly connect a flash drive or put a smartphone on charge in the dark, when the microUSB does not want to fit into the connector.

How did it all start?

The trend was set by Apple, a company that many now criticize for not being able to surprise, or do it in a very strange way: introducing innovations that turn into a headache for customers.

In 2015, the Cupertians introduced a new Macbook. The model was clearly planned to replace the Macbook Air, which are already rather boring and outdated. Their TFT-matrix screens look especially bad, while other products flaunt Retina displays. So, in a fresh Macbook, in addition to a 3.5 mm headphone jack, there was only one output - USB Type-C. In the fall of 2016, Apple showed new generations of Macbook Pro, which already have four similar ports and no other interfaces (only the mini-jack was retained).

Other manufacturers are also catching up: laptops with USB Type-C are released by HP, ASUS, Dell, MSI. But these companies have gone the safer route. Along with USB Type-C, their devices also have the usual USB 3.0, HDMI, and an SD card slot. Apple cuts without waiting for peritonitis.

Wait, Apple introduced Lightning a couple of years ago...

Yes, but this interface is only used on iPhone and iPad. And we're pretty sure that the company will completely switch to USB Type-C in smartphones with tablets in a couple of years.

Devices from other manufacturers (Google Nexus 5X and Pixel, ASUS Zenfone 3) have already received the new standard. So we have a chance to live to see that bright day when any mobile phone, laptop or other gadget can be charged through one cable.

But Apple can't bury Lightning that quickly. When the company announced with the release of the iPhone 5 that the bulky 30-pin connector was a thing of the past, the forums were bursting with indignation from users: what to do with purchased docking stations and speakers? Gradually, everyone reconciled and switched to a compact interface. But if, after five years, people are again told about the change in format, Apple will not seem enough, but. In addition, Lightning is their own standard, and it is especially difficult to abandon the native one. It is likely that it will be unified with USB Type-C, as happened with Thunderbolt 3.

What exactly is the problem with USB Type-C?

The problem is not so much in the connector as in the periphery. There are only a few monitors with this interface, and you can't call them cheap. The same with flash drives, hard drives, batteries - they are, but the choice is very limited.

It is unlikely that many people can overhaul their equipment at one time - this will pull on a very decent figure. This means that a Type-C adapter is required. And this is precisely the main problem.

First, you need to buy Type-C adapters, and original adapters, especially from Apple, cost an indecent amount. Get the calculator: USB-C/Lightning (for connection to iPhone/iPad) - 1590 rubles; USB-C / HDMI, USB-C, USB 3.0 - 4090 rubles; adapter from USB Type-C to regular USB - 799 rubles. You won’t be able to insert a USB flash drive from the camera into your laptop either - again get money for an adapter (Sandisk USB Type-C adapter costs, for example, about 1800 rubles). The minimum required set of additional devices will cost 6-7 thousand rubles. True, you can find a real combine, which will immediately have USB 3.0, LAN-out, HDMI, and a slot for a memory card.

So for now, USB Type-C does not make life easier, but only adds problems. For example, photographers cannot quickly transfer pictures from a camera to a laptop. If at work you were asked to write something to a USB flash drive, then either always carry an adapter with you, or buy a drive with two interfaces (fortunately, there are such), or say apologetically, “I’m here, at the peak of progress: only USB- C".

But USB Type-C will inevitably become mainstream. It will not work to sit stubbornly on USB 3.0: for a couple of years, manufacturers will definitely release solutions with familiar connectors, but gradually people will be forced to switch to the new standard. Fortunately, it will be cheaper to do it later than it is now.

So switch to USB Type-C or what?

Switching to USB Type-C depends on how you work with devices. For example, if a laptop is used as the most mobile gadget, data is transferred between devices via Wi-Fi, and the only wire that you connect to it is a charger, then you will not have problems with the new interface.

In extreme cases, you will need to buy one adapter, which has a connector for the usual USB and HDMI. A smartphone from Apple, for example, can be connected via USB to this adapter, rather than buying a Lighting / USB-C adapter.

But if you need to use many ports at the same time: HDMI, SD card slot, 2-3 USB, you will have to go out of your way. But it is unlikely that a large number of users connect so many things to their laptop at one time. In addition, the Macbook Pro, for example, has four connectors at once. By connecting a laptop to a TV, putting it on charge and connecting a USB flash drive to a triple adapter (for 4090 rubles), you will leave three more free ports at your disposal.

Are there cheap adapters for USB Type-C?

Craftsmen from China are tirelessly inventing cheaper and more versatile adapters. But you have to be careful when buying them. Budget options can burn the device when connected by applying too much current. Adapters from well-known manufacturers are equipped with reliable protection that will not allow the destruction of a smartphone or laptop.

Suspiciously cheap options are best avoided. Moshi, HyperDrive, Choetech, SanDisk - you can pay attention to the products of these companies. But one hundred percent quality and reliability will be provided only by branded adapters from manufacturers, and not third-party brands. By the way, an interesting thing is released by Griffin - a charging wire on a magnet, as in the now old Macbooks. If you touch it, the laptop will not crash to the floor - the cable will simply disconnect, and a small tail with USB Type-C will remain in the laptop.

We draw conclusions:

The future is USB Type-C - that's for sure. I would like to believe that the interface will receive mass distribution soon. But if you need to frequently connect different devices (flash drives, power banks, monitors, network cables), then do not rush. First, find adapters that suit you perfectly and estimate their cost, as well as how many adapters you will need to carry with you at all times.

The first version of the Universal Serial Bus (USB) was introduced in 1995. It was USB that became the most successful interface in the history of computing systems. Tens of billions of devices communicate with each other via USB, so the importance of this data transfer channel can hardly be overestimated. It looks like with the advent of the connector USB Type-C, our understanding of the capabilities and role of the universal bus may change dramatically. Before talking about the prospects, let's see what the new format universal connector offers.

The advantages and disadvantages of the new format interface connector have been discussed on the net for some time. The USB Type-C specification was finally approved at the end of last summer, however, the topic of the universal connector aroused active interest after the recent announcement of a laptop, as well as a new version equipped with USB Type-C.

Design. Convenient connection

The USB Type-C connector is slightly larger than the usual USB 2.0 Micro-B, but noticeably smaller than the dual USB 3.0 Micro-B, not to mention the classic USB Type-A.

The dimensions of the connector (8.34×2.56 mm) make it possible to use it without much difficulty for devices of any class, including smartphones/tablets with the minimum reasonable case thickness.

Structurally, the connector has an oval shape. Signal and power outputs are placed on a plastic stand in the central part. The USB Type-C contact group includes 24 pins. This is much more than the previous generation of USB connectors. Only 4 pins were allocated for the needs of USB 1.0 / 2.0, and USB 3.0 connectors have 9 pins.

The first obvious benefit of USB Type-C is a symmetrical connector that allows you not to think about which side to connect the plug to the outlet. The age-old problem of devices with USB connectors of any format is now finally solved. In this case, the solution of the problem is achieved not by a banal duplication of all contact groups. It uses a certain logic of automatic negotiation and switching.

Another nice thing is that there are identical connectors on both sides of the interface cable. Therefore, using USB Type-C, you do not need to choose which side of the conductor to connect the master and slave devices.

The outer shell of the connector does not have any holes or cutouts. To fix it in the connector, internal side latches are used. The plug must be securely held in the socket. Backlash, like those that could be observed with USB 3.0 Micro-B, should not be here.

Many people are probably worried about the physical reliability of the new connector. According to the declared characteristics, the mechanical resource of the USB Type-C connector is about 10,000 connections. Exactly the same indicator is typical for the USB 2.0 Micro-B port.

Separately, we note that USB Type-C is not a data transfer interface. This is a type of connector that allows different signal and power lines to be connected together. As you can see, the connector is elegant from an engineering point of view, and most importantly, it should be easy to use.

Transfer rate. 10 Gb / s is not for everyone?

One of the advantages of USB Type-C is the ability to use the USB 3.1 interface for data transfer, promising an increase in bandwidth up to 10 Gb / s. However, USB Type-C and USB 3.1 are not equivalent terms and are definitely not synonymous. The USB Type-C format can implement the capabilities of both USB 3.1 and USB 3.0 and even USB 2.0. Support for a particular specification is determined by the integrated controller. Of course, USB Type-C ports are more likely to appear on devices that support high data transfer rates, but this is not a dogma.

Recall that even with the implementation of USB 3.1 capabilities, there may be differences in the maximum data transfer rate. For USB 3.1 Gen 1, this is 5 Gb / s, USB 3.1 Gen 2 - 10 Gb / s. By the way, the presented Apple Macbook and Chromebook Pixel have USB Type-C ports with a bandwidth of 5 Gb / s. Well, a clear example of the fact that the new interface connector is very versatile is the Nokia N1 tablet. It also has a USB Type-C connector but is limited to USB 2.0 with a bandwidth of 480 Mb/s.

The designation "USB 3.1 Gen 1" can be called a kind of marketing ploy. A nominally similar port has the same capabilities as USB 3.0. Moreover, the same controllers can be used for this version of "USB 3.1" as for the implementation of the previous generation bus. At the initial stage, manufacturers will probably actively use this technique, releasing new USB Type-C devices that do not need maximum bandwidth. Offering a device with a new type of connector, many will want to present it in a favorable light, declaring the presence of not only a new connector, but also USB 3.1 support, even if conditional.

It is important to understand that the USB Type-C port can nominally be used for maximum performance connections at speeds up to 10 Gb / s, but in order to get this throughput, the connected devices must provide it. The presence of USB Type-C is not an indicator of the real speed capabilities of the port. They should be specified in advance in the specifications of specific products.

Some restrictions also have cables for connecting devices. When using the USB 3.1 interface, for lossless data transfer at speeds up to 10 Gb / s (Gen 2), the cable length with USB Type-C connectors should not exceed 1 meter, for connection at speeds up to 5 Gb / s (Gen 1) - 2 meters.

Energy transfer. 100 W unit

Another important feature that USB Type-C brings is the ability to transfer power up to 100W. This is enough not only for powering/charging mobile devices, but also for trouble-free operation of laptops, monitors or, for example, “large” 3.5” external drives.

When the USB bus was originally developed, power transfer was a secondary function. The USB 1.0 port provided only 0.75W (0.15A, 5V). Enough for the mouse / keyboard, but no more. For USB 2.0, the nominal current was increased to 0.5 A, which made it possible to obtain 2.5 W. This was often enough to power, for example, 2.5” external hard drives. For USB 3.0, a nominal current of 0.9 A is provided, which, with a constant supply voltage of 5V, already guarantees a power of 4.5 watts. Special reinforced connectors on motherboards or laptops were capable of delivering up to 1.5 A to speed up the charging of connected mobile devices, but this is still 7.5 watts. Against the background of these numbers, the ability to transmit 100 watts looks like something fantastic. However, in order for the USB Type-C port to be filled with the necessary power, support for the USB Power Delivery 2.0 (USB PD) specification is required. If there is none, the USB Type-C port will normally be able to deliver 7.5 W (1.5 A, 5 V) or 15 W (3A, 5 V) to the mountain, depending on the configuration.

To streamline the power capabilities of USB PD ports, a system of power profiles has been developed that provides for possible combinations of voltages and currents. Compliance with Profile 1 guarantees the ability to transmit 10W of energy, Profile 2 - 18W, Profile 3 - 36W, Profile 4 - 60W, Profile 5 - 100W. A port corresponding to a higher level profile maintains all the states of the previous ones downstream. 5V, 12V and 20V are selected as reference voltages. The use of 5V is necessary for compatibility with the huge fleet of USB peripherals available. 12V is the standard supply voltage for various system components. 20V is proposed taking into account the fact that external 19-20V PSUs are used to charge the batteries of most laptops.

Of course, it's good when the device is equipped with USB Type-C, which supports the maximum energy profile of USB PD. It is this connector that allows you to transfer up to 100 watts of energy. Obviously, ports with similar potential may appear on some powerful laptops, special docking stations or motherboards, where separate phases of the internal power supply will be allocated for USB Type-C needs. The point is that the required power must be somehow generated and brought to the USB Type-C contacts. Yes, and for the transmission of energy of such power, active cables will be required.

It is important to understand here that not any port of the new format will be able to provide the declared power of 100 watts. There is a potential opportunity for this, however, this issue must be resolved by the manufacturer at the level of circuitry. Also, do not be under any illusions that the above 100 watts can be obtained from, say, a matchbox-sized power supply and now you can power your gaming laptop and a 27-inch monitor connected to it with smartphone charging. Nevertheless, the law of conservation of energy continues to work, and therefore an external 100 W PSU with a USB Type-C port will still be the same weighty bar as before. In general, the very possibility of transferring energy of such power using a universal compact connector is, of course, a plus. At a minimum, a great opportunity to get rid of the inconsistency of the original power connectors, which laptop manufacturers often sin with.

Another useful feature of USB Type-C is the ability to change the direction of energy transfer. If the device circuitry allows, the consumer can, for example, temporarily become a source of charge. Moreover, for the reverse energy exchange, even reconnecting the connectors is not required.

Alternate mode. Not USB single

The USB Type-C port was originally designed as a universal solution. In addition to directly transferring data via USB, it can also be used in Alternate Mode to implement third-party interfaces. This flexibility of USB Type-C was used by the VESA association, introducing the possibility of transmitting a video stream via DisplayPort Alt Mode.

USB Type-C has four Super Speed ​​USB high-speed lines (pairs). If two of them are allocated to the needs of DisplayPort, this is enough to get a picture with a resolution of 4K (3840 × 2160). At the same time, the data transfer speed via USB is not affected. At the peak, this is still the same 10 Gb / s (for USB 3.1 Gen2). Also, the transmission of the video stream does not affect the power capacity of the port in any way. For the needs of DisplayPort, even high-speed 4 lines can be allocated. In this case, modes up to 5K (5120×2880) will be available. In this mode, the USB 2.0 lines remain unused, because USB Type-C will still be able to transfer data in parallel, although at a limited speed.

In alternative mode, the SBU1/SBU2 pins are used to transmit the audio stream, which are converted to AUX+/AUX- channels. For the USB protocol, they are not used, so there are no additional functional losses here either.

When using the DisplayPort interface, the USB Type-C connector can still be connected in either direction. The necessary signal matching is provided initially.

Connecting devices using HDMI, DVI and even D-Sub (VGA) is also possible, but this will require separate adapters, however, these must be active adapters, since Dual-Mode Display Port (DP ++) is not supported for DisplayPort Alt Mode .

USB Type-C Alternate Mode can be used for more than just DisplayPort. Perhaps soon we will learn that this port has learned, for example, to transfer data using PCI Express or Ethernet.

Compatibility. Difficulties of the "transitional" period

If we talk about the compatibility of USB Type-C with devices equipped with USB ports of the previous generation, then it is not possible to connect them directly due to the fundamental differences in the design of the connectors. To do this, you need to use adapters. Their range promises to be very wide. Of course, it's not just about converting USB Type-C to other USB types. Adapters for outputting images to screens with traditional DisplayPort, HDMI, DVI and VGA ports will also be available.

Apple simultaneously with the announcement of the new MacBook offered several options for adapters. A single USB Type-C to USB Type-A is priced at $19.

Given the presence of only one USB Type-C, the owner of a MacBook probably cannot do without a universal, more functional converter. Apple introduced two such adapters. One output has a pass-through USB Type-C, VGA and USB Type-A port, the second option is equipped with HDMI instead of VGA. The cost of these boxes is $79. A 29 W power supply with native USB Type-C cost $49.

Google offers single USB Type-C to Type-A (plug/female) adapters for $13 for the new Chromebook Pixel system, and $40 for a DisplayPort and HDMI converter. The 60W power supply is priced at $60.

Traditionally, you should not expect humane price tags for additional accessories from equipment manufacturers. Adapter manufacturers are anticipating demand for their new products. Belkin is already ready to ship kilometers of conductors, but their cost cannot be called low either ($20–30). The company also announced, but has not yet unveiled, a USB Type-C to Gigabit Ethernet adapter. The cost has not yet been announced, there is only information that it will be available in early summer. It's funny, but it seems that up to this point, in order to connect to a wired network, you will need to use two adapters at once. It is quite possible that someone will be quicker than Belkin by offering an appropriate adapter earlier.

It will be possible to talk about a noticeable price reduction only after much less well-known companies from the “Celestial Empire” are tightly engaged in accessories with USB Type-C. Considering what prospects are opening up, we believe that they will not be the case.

Devices with USB Type-C. Someone has to be first

Nominally, the tablet became the first device equipped with a USB Type-C port. At least, it was this device that became a harbinger of the fact that the ports of the new format left the developer laboratories and "go to the people."

An interesting device, but, unfortunately, while it is offered in a fairly limited edition. The tablet has a native USB Type-C port, although the USB 2.0 protocol is used for data transfer.

Perhaps the most iconic product that will help boost the popularity of USB Type-C is the recently introduced . The 12-inch laptop is equipped with a single interface connector, so its owners will one way or another become pioneers who will adapt to life with USB Type-C.

On the one hand, Apple obviously supported the development of the new standard; moreover, the company's engineers were directly involved in the development of USB Type-C. On the other hand, updated versions of Macbook Air and MacBook Pro did not receive this connector. Does this mean that USB Type-C will not be registered in the more “heavy” category of USB Type-C devices in the coming year? Debatable. After all, Apple will certainly not be able to resist updating the line of laptops after the autumn announcement of a new Intel mobile platform with Skylake processors. Perhaps that's when the Cupertians will allocate space on the interface panel for USB Type-C.

The situation with tablets and smartphones is even more ambiguous. Will Apple use USB Type-C instead of Lightning for them? The proprietary connector is noticeably inferior in terms of capabilities to the new universal port, but what about the original peripherals that have been accumulated by users of Apple mobile products since 2012? We will find out the answers to these questions with the update or expansion of the iPhone / iPad lines.

Google has unveiled the second generation of stylish Chromebook Pixel laptops. Chrome OS systems are still quite niche solutions, but the quality of Google systems is captivating, and this time they are at the forefront of devices offering to join USB Type-C. Laptops are equipped with a pair of appropriate connectors. However, for safety reasons, Chromebook Pixels also have two classic USB 3.0 connectors.

In general, Google representatives are very excited about the capabilities of the new connector, counting on the appearance of Android mobile devices with a USB Type-C connector in the near future. The uncompromising support of the largest platform holder is a powerful argument for other market players.

Motherboard manufacturers are in no hurry to add a USB Type-C port to their devices. Recently, MSI introduced the MSI Z97A GAMING 6, which is equipped with such a connector with a data transfer rate of up to 10Gb/s.

ASUS offers an external USB 3.1 controller with a USB Type-C port that can be installed on any board with a free PCI Express (x4) slot.

Peripherals with native USB Type-C are still frankly not enough. Surely, many manufacturers were in no hurry with the announcement, waiting for the appearance of systems with which it will be possible to use products with USB Type-C. In general, this is a typical situation when introducing the next industry standard.

Immediately after the announcement of the Apple MacBook, LaCie introduced a series of portable external hard drives with USB Type-C.

SanDisk already offers a flash drive with two connectors - USB 3.0 Type-A and USB Type-C. A similar product is offered by the lesser-known Microdia.

Surely soon we will see a significant expansion of the range of devices with USB Type-C. The flywheel of change will slowly but surely unwind. The support of "big" companies can influence the situation and speed up this process.

Results

The need for a universal compact connector that could be used to transfer data, video-audio streams and electricity has been long overdue. Given the mutual interest, both from users and equipment manufacturers, there are all prerequisites for USB Type-C to “shoot”.

Compact dimensions, ease and convenience of connection along with wide possibilities promise the connector the prospects to repeat the success of its predecessor. The familiar USB port has been upgraded several times, but it's time for a radical change. 10 Gb / s with the possibility of further scaling, power transmission up to 100 W and a picture with a resolution of up to 5K. Good for a start? Another argument in the piggy bank of USB Type-C is an open standard that does not require licensing fees from manufacturers. There is still a lot of work to be done, but the result is visible ahead, for the sake of which it is worth going this way.

The USB Type-C port has at least one indisputable and obvious advantage over the micro USB port - you can insert the connector into it in any direction (like Lightning). But USB Type-C also has disadvantages, we will talk about them today.

1. USB Type-C does not support fast charging

Currently, no smartphone with a USB Type-C cable is compatible with technologies that support fast charging (such as Qualcomm Quick Charge 2.0). Perhaps it will appear in the future, but definitely not for those smartphones that have already been released.

2. USB Type-C does not guarantee high data transfer speed

USB Type-C is just a connector form factor, not a communication standard. The USB Type-C cable itself can comply with different standards - USB 2.0, 3.0 and 3.1. Even if the cable supports USB 3.1, the data transfer speed through it will be limited by the smartphone or computer port. In theory, data can be transferred via USB 3.1 at speeds up to 10 gigabits per second, but in reality, such a speed will most likely be unattainable even under ideal conditions.

3. USB Type-C is not common

Surely you often asked your friends for a charger or cable to charge your dead smartphone. In the case of USB Type-C, this will not work - it is unlikely that anyone will find such a cable. You can ask for a micro USB cable from any passer-by. They can refuse, but almost everyone has it ..

4. USB Type-C is expensive

Worst of all, if the cable is lost or becomes unusable - a micro USB cord is very cheap in computer stores, and USB Type-C is not available in all outlets, and you will have to pay much more money for it. In addition, there is no guarantee that the new cable will be of the same quality as the one that came with the smartphone, there is a high risk of running into a fake.

5. USB Type-C does not support conventional accessories

If you have already bought various accessories for your smartphone, such as portable chargers, OTG adapters, flash drives, speakers, etc., be prepared that they will not be compatible with USB Type-C. Finding accessories that support this standard is currently quite difficult.

All this does not mean that the USB Type-C standard is bad, just that its time has not come yet. In addition, many compatibility issues are solved by purchasing a USB Type-C -> micro USB adapter.