Ever since its introduction back in 2014, I’ve remained bullish on aUSB-C-powered future. I love the idea of a single cable to rule them all – a connector that can provide plenty of data bandwidth for audio and video purposes, while simultaneously providing power to any and all electronic devices and gadgets.
Despite a number ofvery real and very valid complaintswhen it comes to USB technical standards, confusing naming conventions, and unclear consumer marketing, I still believe that USB-C has been a net positive thus far. I love thatI can travel without the needto lug around a bunch of proprietary or single-use cables, and USB-C’s reversibility and small size are a bonus, too.
We’re still a far way off from true USB-C ubiquity, but it seems that we’re inching closer each and every calendar year. Over the past several years, the plug standardhas led to the demise ofa number of older connector types – here are 6 in particular that simply stood no chance in the era of USB-C.
Best multi and single-port USB chargers: Keep your new iPhone powered and ready
More devices are coming without adapters in the box these days, so these are the best single and multi-port USB chargers to keep your tech going.
1USB Type-A
Perhaps the most iconic plug of them all
First hitting the scene back in 1996, the humble Universal Serial Bus (USB) Type-A connector has withstood the test of time. Still a common staple on most tower PCs and some laptops, USB-A ushered in the age of universal and standardized computing protocols.
USB-A replaced the need for older peripheral connectors like PS/2 formiceandkeyboards, stomping proprietary serial plugs to the curb in the process. Its ubiquity paved the way for a flourishing market of USB flash drives, USBmicsandwebcams, and much more.
For all intents and purposes, USB Type-C bests its USB Type-A forebearer in every appreciable metric.
Physically speaking, the connector hasn’t held up quite as well – it’s symmetrical and yet non-reversible, which makes it annoying to plug in right the first time. It’s also a relatively big and bulky connector by today’s standards, which is why its popularity has declined in today’s mobile-first computing environment.
For all intents and purposes, USB Type-C bests its USB Type-A forebearer in every appreciable metric. USB-C is smaller, reversible, and capable of more data and more power throughput, all while enabling access to an ecosystem ofUSB hubs, alternative modes, and more.
Black vs blue: why are my USB ports colored on the inside?
Not all USB ports are made equal - here’s why some are black, some are blue, and others are even teal colored.
2USB Type-B
The awkward middle child of the plug world
Most people aren’t even aware that a full-sized USB Type-B port exists, and the reason for this is clear: USB B isn’t widely used in consumer device contexts these days, aside from some specific instances.
Most notably, many wiredprintersetups have traditionally relied on USB-B to interface with host computers. You might also find the port on flatbed scanners, as well as on some olderhard disk drives(HDDs) and external optical disc readers.
Today, USB-B is a relic of a bygone era.
USB-B was originally designed to be used on devices, while USB-A was meant for hosts (computers). What happened instead is that most peripherals adopted the much smaller USB Micro-B connector, which was necessary at a time when electronic gadgets were rapidly shrinking in size.
Today, USB-B is a relic of a bygone era; USB-C has negated the need for distinct device and host ports in their entirety. The connector’s last major vestigial application, home printers, isn’t a saving grace, either: most people now operate their printers wirelessly.
I’m glad Apple is finally purging USB-A with the next Mac mini
Legacy compatibility should only last so long.
3USB Micro-B
Possibly the most derided of the whole USB lot
Alongside USB-A, USB Micro-B has proven to be the most resilient USB variant of the pre-C era. In its heyday, Micro USB was everywhere:smartphones, digital cameras,gaming controllers, and just about every other small device in need of a charging port or the ability to interface with a computer.
Before Micro USB, there was a brief period in which the slightly larger Mini USB proved popular, but Micro’s diminutive size ultimately won out. However, time hasn’t been particularly kind to Micro USB – many have criticized the port’s finicky nature, its loose connection system, and its difficult insertion tactility.
By and large, USB-C has replaced the need for Micro USB. Mobile device makers have been fairly quick to jump on the C bandwagon, and most newly-released gadgets forgo Micro USB altogether. USB-C might be ever-so-slightly larger from a physical standpoint, but it brings with it a reversible design and much more capable data and power transfer capabilities.
Thunderbolt 5 promises the best USB-C cables ever - here’s what it could mean for your next laptop
Intel’s Thunderbolt 5 is here and delivers 120Gbps alongside 240 watts of power.
43.5mm headphone jack
Apple decided it was time to say goodbye to the analog aux
When Apple launched theiPhone Xback in 2017, it was the beginning of the end for consumer-facing headphone jacks. The tech giant controversially stripped the legacy analog audio port from its smartphones, and eventually the entire mobile industry followed suit.
These days, auxiliary ports are still an important part of most professional audio workers' toolkits, owing to low latency, hardware compatibility, among other benefits. For the average consumer, meanwhile, you can pick your poison: wirelessBluetooth headphones, or aUSB-C to 3.5mm adapter.
USB-C itself is more than capable of providing a rich music playback experience, but your mileage will vary based on the quality of your digital-analog converter (DAC), amplifier, and other hardware variables. After all, despite Apple’s message of analog tech being antiquated, audio sound waves are analog by definition.
How I use my TV’s USB port to make my own personal streaming service
You’ll need a PC or Mac to build a media library, first.
5Barrel-style plug
Previously the de facto PC charging standard
For most of the laptop PC industry’s history, notebooks shipped with one of several barrel-style charging plug varieties. These were adequate for the time, as they could pull large amounts of power from the wall, and they were physically resilient and easy enough to work with.
However, in the age of USB-CPower Delivery(PD), most laptops have made the switch away from barrel-style connectors. Theoretically, USB-C is capable of outputting up to 240W of power, which is enough to power all but the most power-hungrygaming laptopson the market.
Of course, the desktop PC market is a different beast entirely, with much higher energy consumption targets. I don’t expect tower PCs to make the switch to USB-C anytime soon, unless a major jump in wattage occurs in the next Type-C revision.
Apple’s transition to USB-C is nearly complete, but ports were never the problem
Mac accessories now use USB-C ports, even if some of Apple’s other questionable design choices remain.
6Lightning
The most recent cable casualty of the USB-C era
Most recently, we’ve seen the gradual replacement of Apple’s proprietary Lightning port in favor of the open and universal USB-C standard. With the release of theiPhone 16eand the discontinuation of the olderiPhone 14, Apple’s transition to USB-C has reached maturity.
Spurred on by theEuropean Union’s USB-C mandate, Apple has now well and truly transitioned its entire product portfolio over to Type-C, despite its rather vocal and public opposition to the EU law.
For the time, Lightning was an excellent solution…
While it’s true that Apple itself played a role in the development of USB-C, the standard simply wasn’t ready in time for 2012’siPhone 5release. Apple needed a thinner port to accommodate its thinner-than-ever handsets, and so it went ahead and created Lightning.
For the time, Lightning was an excellent solution – it was as small as the microUSB ports found in rival Android devices, and it beat USB-C to the punch in terms of reversibility.
Anecdotally, I find Lightning to be a more durable and satisfying port to interact with when compared to Type-C, but the latter’s universal nature and more powerful data and power capabilities have simply left Lightning in the dust.
Best USB microphones: Top mics for video calling, podcasting and streaming
We cover the best USB microphones for a variety of uses to help you choose the right one for your needs.
