USB-C
USB-C is a small, reversible connector used for charging and data transfer on phones, laptops, tablets and many other devices.
On this page 4 sections
How it works
USB-C describes the shape of the plug and port, an oval connector that fits either way up. It is only a connector. What passes through it depends on the standards behind it, so two USB-C cables or ports can behave very differently. The connector can carry power, data and, in some cases, video.
What can differ behind the same plug
- Data speed: older USB 2.0 ports move data at up to 480 Mbps, while newer USB 3 versions reach several gigabits per second and beyond.
- Power: the Power Delivery standard lets a USB-C connection carry much more power than basic charging, and the charger and device agree on the level together.
- Video: some ports can send a picture to a monitor, which needs an extra feature called DisplayPort Alternate Mode.
What limits the speed
Charging and transfer speed are set by the weakest part of the chain: the charger, the cable or the device.
What it does not promise
A USB-C port does not mean fast charging, fast file transfer or video output. Each of these is a separate capability that both the device and the cable must support. A cable that fits is not always a cable that carries the full speed or power of the port.