What Is USB-C? A Deep Dive into the Universal Port

If you’ve ever looked at your phone charger, laptop port, or your wireless earbuds and thought, “Wait—what is USB-C and why is everything using it now?”, you’re not alone. USB-C has quickly become the go-to port for charging and data transfer across tons of devices. Even Apple has made the switch, embracing USB-C since the iPhone 15.

So, what makes USB-C the new default? In this guide, we’re breaking down exactly what USB Type-C is, how it works, how it stacks up against other types of ports, and what you should know before picking your next cable.

Alt: White USB-C cable

What Is USB-C?

USB-C, also known as USB Type-C, is a 24-pin, oval-shaped connector that showed up in 2014 as the modern replacement for the familiar rectangular USB-A and squarish USB-B plugs you may have wrestled with before.

Developed by the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF), the key idea of USB-C is universality: one compact, reversible port that can move serious amounts of data, deliver both video and audio signals, and charge everything from earbuds to beefy gaming laptops—all through the same hole in your device.

A few quick facts help frame why the USB-C plug matters to you:

• Reversible by design– There’s no “upside-down,” so you can plug in by feel on the first try every time.
• Small plug, giant data pipeline– Depending on the tech inside your gear, USB-C can handle USB 2.0 speeds all the way up to USB4 Version 2.0’s eye-watering 80 Gbps (or even 120 Gbps in one direction).
• Serious power delivery– Newer USB-C chargers pump out up to 240W—enough to top off a creator-class laptop or even power tools—without a bulky barrel jack.
• One jack, many languages– The port can tunnel DisplayPort, HDMI, PCIe, and Thunderbolt, so your single USB-C slot might replace half the ports your old laptop needed.

When you see the same connector on your phone, your Switch, and the latest MacBook, that’s by design: USB-C’s mission is to kill the cable clutter and make your life (and your backpack) lighter.

How Does USB-C Work?

When you plug a USB-C cable into a device, a fast digital handshake kicks off on two tiny pins built into the connector. Those pins let your phone, laptop, charger, or monitor quickly agree on three things:

1. Who’s the power source and who’s the sink?

If you plug your laptop into a monitor with upstream charging, the monitor can take over as the power source—no extra brick needed.

2. How much juice is safe?

Through the USB Power Delivery (PD) protocol, the two ends negotiate voltage and current in 20-millisecond bursts, scaling from a sip (5V, 0.5A) all the way up to the 48V, 5A limit of USB-PD 3.1’s 240W “Extended Power Range.”

3. Which data or video lanes should we light up?

Inside the connector are four high-speed differential pairs. Devices can steer those lanes purely to USB data or re-route some of them to DisplayPort, HDMI, or Thunderbolt.

With a simple USB‑C adaptor or hub, you can easily connect a USB-C device to the DisplayPort or HDMI input on a monitor or projector.

Because every pin is mirrored top-to-bottom, the port stays electrically correct no matter which way you flip the plug.

What’s the Difference Between USB-C and Other Ports?

You already know what USB-C is—a tiny, two-way jack that can juggle charging, data, and video all at once. But that only really clicks when you line it up against the plugs you’ve been using for years.

Below, you’ll get a quick, side-by-side look at the ports you’re most likely to meet and why USB-C usually comes out on top.

USB-A

This is the classic rectangular plug that’s been on PCs and wall chargers since the late ’90s. It still works fine for keyboards, flash drives, and slow-charging gear, but you have to orient it the “right” way.

Its best-case data transfer speed tops out at 20 Gbps on some blue-or-red SuperSpeed ports (USB 3.2 Gen 2×2). Power is equally limited—about 4.5W per spec—so fast-charging a laptop is off the table.

USB-C does everything USB-A can do, only faster, in either direction, and with up to 240W of juice.

USB-B

If you’ve ever plugged in a printer or an external hard-drive dock, you’ve used the chunky, almost-square USB-B connector. It was designed to keep you from accidentally connecting two computers together (hosts on one end, peripherals on the other).

While some USB-B ports support up to 10 Gbps on newer gear, the connector is physically large and can’t carry video or high-wattage power the way USB-C can.

Smaller laptops and docks rarely have room for a Type-B jack, and USB-C cables handle the same job with less bulk.

Alt: USB-B cable

Micro USB

This slim, trapezoid-shaped plug ruled Android phones and power banks for a decade. It’s cheap and tiny, but it’s also one-way-up and capped at USB 2.0’s 480 Mbps plus roughly 7.5W of power in everyday chargers.

Forget running a 4K monitor or quick-charging a Steam Deck through Micro USB. Reversibility, higher speeds, and vastly more power headroom make USB-C a no-brainer replacement.

Alt: Anker Micro USB cable

Lightning

Apple’s proprietary 8-pin connector is reversible and durable, yet it still crawls along at USB 2.0 speeds (about 480 Mbps) and maxes out around 12W for charging. With iPhone 15, 16, and newer iPads jumping to USB-C, Lightning is slowly heading for the history books.

USB-C gives you up to 40 Gbps (or more) plus universal accessories, and it keeps regulators—and your cable drawer—happy.

Alt: Lightning cable

Thunderbolt

Thunderbolt isn’t a different-shaped plug at all; it’s a super-charged protocol that rides on the same USB-C connector. Thunderbolt 3 and 4 push 40 Gbps for data and dual-4K displays, while the incoming Thunderbolt 5 doubles that to 80 Gbps (and even 120 Gbps one-way for extreme monitors).

Not every USB-C port speaks Thunderbolt, though—you need compatible controllers and certified cables, which adds cost. If you edit 8K video on external SSDs or daisy-chain multiple displays, Thunderbolt-over-USB-C is unbeatable. For everyday charging and file transfers, plain USB-C is usually plenty.

Are All USB-C Ports and Cables the Same?

Short answer: no—only the oval shape is universal. Under the hood, every USB‑C port and cable has its own mix of power, data, and video talents.

Ports: same look, different power & speed

• Data speed:Some ports top out at old-school USB 2.0 (480 Mbps), others jump to USB4 or Thunderbolt (80–120 Gbps).
• Power:Every USB‑C port can sip at least 15W, but only those that support USB Power Delivery (USB‑PD) can negotiate anything higher. The newest PD 3.1 “Extended Power Range” bumps the ceiling to a whopping 240W.
• Video:A port needs “DisplayPort/HDMI Alt-Mode” or Thunderbolt to run a monitor. If it’s missing, the screen stays dark.

Cables: identical outside, different guts

• Cheap “charge-only” cablesmove little data (or none) and max out around 60W.
• Full-featured cablescarry fast data, video, and up to 240W of power—but only if they’re rated for it.
• E-marker chips matter. Any cable that promises more than 3 A or faster than USB 2.0 must include an E-Marker—a tiny controller that tells your devices how much current, voltage, and bandwidth the cable can actually handle.

Best USB-C Cable We Picked

You see, choosing the right cable can make a big difference in charging, data transfer, and long-term use. Here are some top picks for USB-C cables that perform well and last long.

Anker Prime USB-C to USB-C Cable (240W, Upcycled-Braided)

Think of the Anker Prime USB-C to USB-C Cable (240W, Upcycled-Braided) as the SUV of charging cords—built to haul heavy loads and survive the wilderness.

It pushes the full 240W allowed by the latest USB Power Delivery spec, shrugs off Arctic‑to‑desert temps, and is rated for a wild 300‑thousand bends—roughly a “century” of daily use. If you’re powering a workstation‑class laptop or just tired of replacing frayed cables, this is the tank you toss in your bag.

Alt: Anker Prime USB-C to USB-C Cable (240W, Upcycled-Braided)

Anker USB-C to USB-C Cable (3 ft / 6 ft, 240W, Upcycled-Braided)

Need the same 240 W muscle but prefer something softer—and cheaper? The Anker USB-C to USB-C Cable (3 ft / 6 ft, 240W, Upcycled-Braided) is another USB-IF certified 240W cable made from 100% recycled materials and can hold up to 220 pounds of pressure.

It still hits 480 Mbps for phone backups and comes with a tidy silicone strap, but the real draw is convenience and durability: it’s the cord you can coil up, toss in your pocket, and pull out later without dealing with frustrating tangles.

Alt: Anker USB-C to USB-C Cable (3 ft / 6 ft, 240W, Upcycled-Braided)

Anker USB-C to USB-C Thunderbolt 4 100W Cable (2.3 ft)

When raw data speed matters more than monster wattage, reach for the certified Anker USB-C to USB-C Thunderbolt 4 100W Cable (2.3 ft). Its 40 Gbps throughput handles 8K monitors, external GPUs, and screaming-fast SSDs, while 100W charging still covers most laptops on the go.

At 2.3 feet it’s short, stiff, and a bit pricier—but if you’re a video pro or developer moving multi-gig files all day, those seconds saved quickly justify the space in your kit.

Alt: Anker USB-C to USB-C Thunderbolt 4 100W Cable (2.3 ft)

Conclusion

So, what is USB-C really all about? At its core, it’s a smarter, faster, and more universal way to connect your devices—whether you’re charging your laptop, syncing files to your phone, or hooking up an external monitor. But just because two cables look the same doesn’t mean they’ll perform the same. Understanding the basics helps you avoid slow charging, compatibility issues, or even damaging your gear. Now that you know what to look for, you’ll be able to shop smarter and stay plugged into the future of tech.

FAQs

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

“Regular USB” usually refers to the older USB-A connector—a large, rectangular plug that only fits one way—whereas USB-C is a much smaller, oval, fully-reversible plug that fits either way up. Beyond shape, USB-C can carry far more power (up to 240W with USB Power Delivery 3.1) and much faster data (up to 40 Gb/s with USB4 or Thunderbolt 4), plus video signals (DisplayPort/HDMI alt-modes).

Does the iPhone use USB-C?

Yes—starting with the iPhone 15 family released in September 2023, all new iPhone models ship with a USB-C port, replacing Apple’s proprietary Lightning connector. Any earlier iPhone (iPhone 14 series and older) still uses Lightning, so whether your iPhone has USB-C depends on its model year.

Can you plug a USB-C into a USB port?

A USB-C plug will not fit directly into a USB-A (regular USB) port because the shapes are different, but you can connect devices by using either a USB-C to USB-A adaptor or a cable that has USB-C on one end and USB-A on the other. Just remember that the link will fall back to the slower data speeds and lower power limits of the USB-A side.

How do I know if I have a USB-C port?

To identify a USB-C port, look for a small, oval-shaped port that is symmetrical and allows the connector to be inserted either way. It is typically labeled with a lightning bolt or “SS” (SuperSpeed) symbol if it supports fast charging or high-speed data transfer. Checking your device’s user manual or specifications can also confirm if it has USB-C.