What is USB-C?

Technology is advancing at the speed of light, and the supporting hardware that helps keep new devices charged and connected is always evolving too. If you’re buying the latest phone or upgrading your laptop, you might notice that some come equipped with USB-C ports and cables. But what is USB-C and how does it work? If you've ever wondered about those oval-shaped plugs and ports, read on to learn more.

Discover more about USB-C

USB stands for “Universal Serial Bus" and is considered standard hardware for digital communications. USB-C is a cable connector that powers up your devices or transfers files quickly and efficiently. Whether you use a phone, laptop, or tablet, you likely have a USB-C charger—provided you have a newer device. USB-C is quickly becoming the universal standard, leaving the old-school, wide, rectangular-shaped USB-A connectors in the dust. This is good news for people with multiple devices, as you won't have to worry about having multiple cables to keep everything charged and connected—one USB-C cable should work for almost all of your devices in the near future.

USB-C hardware can transfer data faster and transmit more power than USB-A hardware, enabling your devices to charge and download files much quicker. Another thing that makes USB-C easier to use? Unlike previous hardware, USB-C hardware has an oval-shaped plug that is symmetrical, so it's designed to be plugged in either up or down. Now, you don't have to fight with the USB-C plug to figure out which way it fits in the port.

What is the difference between USB-C and regular USB?

Older versions of USB cables don't deliver the power or speed associated with USB-C cables. For example, USB-A cables can only support 2.5 watts and 5 volts, which doesn't give you a lot of juice when you need to power up your device on the fly. By comparison, USB-C can deliver 100 watts and 20 volts of power. So, whether you're charging up your laptop or phone, you can get its battery back to 100% faster. There are also USB-B cables, but those square-shaped connectors tend to be compatible with printers and scanners, so they're not built for massive power and lightning-fast file transfers.

Is Thunderbolt the same as USB-C?

No, but they're compatible. A Thunderbolt cable offers another way to charge your devices and transfer data. The advent of Thunderbolt 3 made the technology compatible with USB-C, so you can use a Thunderbolt cable with a USB-C port. However, not all PCs have Thunderbolt ports. You'll want to double-check your computer to see if it's compatible with Thunderbolt; otherwise, you can use a USB-C cable to connect or charge your computer as needed. If you're creating a more sophisticated computer setup featuring multiple monitors and accessories or doing mass data transfers, Thunderbolt may be a beneficial option.

A white thunderbolt cable next to a laptop

What is a USB-C port used for?

Most often, a USB-C port is used for charging your device. You connect one end of the USB-C to your phone, computer, or other digital device, then connect the other end to an adapter plugged into the wall or a power strip. Then, watch the magic happen as your device powers up super-fast, thanks to the USB-C charger capabilities. There are also USB-C ports for video or audio components, like your computer monitors or speakers. In this instance, you would connect a USB-C cable to the port in your monitor or speaker, then connect the other end to a port in your computer.