Exploring the Potential of USB-C

Exploring the Potential of USB-C

USB-C port on a power bank

As USB-C slowly expands to more electronic devices and eventually become the standard for charging and data transmission, it can currently be found in the latest devices such as tablets,  phones, and laptops. Eventually it will include all products that now utilize the larger, older USB connector. 

USB-C, also referred to as USB Type-C,  is a symmetrical connector designed to replace the Type-A and Type-B connectors. It is different than its predecessors since one can insert USB-C any way. That is, it is easier to plug in since the smaller connector shape is reversible. You just require a single cable, whether you are charging a smartphone from a USB charger or connecting an external hard drive to a laptop. The USB-C tiny physical connector is about the size of a micro USB connector. A variety of standards have used the USB-C shape despite USB-C using a 24-pin connector. Although the specs for USB-C were first published in 2014, it has only been about the last year since its market potential has been making waves across the industry.

USB-C port

About USB-C

Most computers and electronic devices have some form of USB connection. But as electronic devices were made thinner and smaller, the large USB ports did not fit. This resulted in the release of other USB connector shapes like the ‘micro’ and ‘mini’ connectors. USB-C is now emerging as the replacement for other standards such as DisplayPort and Thunderbolt, as well as the older USB standards. This is a reversible cable that provides higher transfer rates and increased power. USB-C cables can handle much more power which allows them to charge larger devices. The cable itself has USB Type-C connectors at both ends.

All USB-C cables have to transmit at least 3A current up to 60W at 20V. Due to the increased power passing through a system from input to output, a variety of smartphones now enable fast charging using the USB-C standard. Some USB-C cables can even carry 5A for 100W at 20V. The Nintendo Switch, the latest MacBook Pro, Google’s Pixel smartphones, and many portable USB batteries are just a few of the devices using the USB-C standard for power and data transfer. In addition, USB-C is interwoven quite closely with other new standards such as USB 3.1 to deliver faster speeds and improved USB Power Delivery.

A USB-C cable can carry out a number of functions. The one tiny connector is powerful enough to connect all the peripherals a person wants to a laptop, but also small enough to fit into a very thin mobile device. There are no longer the huge ports taking up a lot of space on thinner electronic devices. USB-C ports can also support various protocols using ‘alternate modes.’ This enables the use of adapters that can output VGA, DisplayPort, HDMI, or other types of connections from a single USB port. It is important to note that many of today’s computers will have both USB Type-C ports and larger USB Type-A ports, but you will be able to get new peripherals with USB Type-C connectors and then slowly upgrade from older devices.

USB-C cable

Future of USB-C

It is well worth the upgrade to USB-C. In time, USB-C will be found in even more devices of all types. Although it will take time to reach its potential, the future of USB-C looks bright. Emerging devices using USB-C  include portable monitors with the ability to take both video and power from a connected laptop, USB-C headphones. and docks with all of the connectors that have been taken from USB-C laptops.

USB-C monitors is an example of USB-C’s big potential.  Having one connector to manage just one laptop (drawing power completely from the laptop) that is transmitting both video data and power to two HD displays seems to be a commonsense transition. Also, USB-C to Lightning cables are now available from third-party manufacturers. USB-C hubs will enable access to the various ports that many manufacturers have removed from their devices after switching to USB-C. In addition, there will now be third-party USB-C cable models available that are cheaper than Apple’s own cable since Apple is not bundling a USB-C cable in with the iPhone.

Zendure's USB-C SuperCord cable is an example of a USB-C cable that delivers on the increased power and data transfer. It is compatible with The latest USB Type-C devices such as MacBook Pro 13.3''/MacBook, Galaxy S8/S8+/S9, Galaxy Note 8, Google Pixel, Nexus 6P, HUAWEI P10, Tablets and other devices for transferring data or charging. As well, USB 2.0 data/photos/music transfer speeds up to 480 Mb/S and support for PD fast charging of both smartphones and tablets up to 45W.

On path to be the standard for charging and data transmission, the Potential of USB-C is massive. USB-C can now be found included in the latest devices such as tablets,  phones, and laptops. Eventually, it is expected to include all electronic devices that now use the larger, older USB connector. USB-C’s potential is definitely making waves across the industry.





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