Quote:
Originally Posted by Renate
In a previous world, you could tell the difference by the price, but nowadays both are under $10.
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Also in a previous world "fully supports" meant everything. No-one seems to give real specs now.
USB-C. Manufacturer decides which applies and might not tell you:- Speed: can be USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 and USB 2.0. The USB-A end of USB 3.0 has 5 extra pins, but socket or plug is compatible with regular 4 pin type (USB 1.x to USB 2.x)
- Charging: can be using a USB-A USB 2.0 cable to very fast charge (20W Qualcomm), or need USB C USB 3.0 (20W or more) or be 2.5W, 5W or 7.5W. Might be 5, 9, 12, 15, 20V depending on chosen system). 5V always works, but might be 0.5W or 2.5W if incompatible.
- Audio: might have real analogue audio (Passive) or might need active USB ADC/DAC (both €6!)
- Video: might support USB Alt C DP (Display port/HDMI just with dumb cable) or need USB video Card or impossible
- Peer to Peer: this exists but rare. Like two tablets or two laptops with both USB-C and no OTG mode used.
- OTG: may support charging when host, or not!
"Fully supports" seems to mean OTG works and the host can charge instead of delivering power. USB 2.0 goes up to 480 Mbps. Good luck getting that. The USB 3.0 on a laptop will support faster than that if the devices is faster (like 1000 Mbps full duplex ethernet).
How do you tell? Have a box of adaptors, cables, gadgets, interfaces and chargers and see what they do. Also something that worked on older Android or Windows or Mac USB might not work on a newer one because there is no driver support now.
This started before USB-C. Some OTG micro-USB supported host charging. OTG is supported on mini and micro USB. There is Micro-USB and USB-B with USB 3.0 via an extra wide or tall socket for the 5 extra wires, but works (slower) with regular USB 2.0 cables. Some USB HDDs use a USB-A double ended USB 3.0 cable.
A USB 3.x port has SS and/or blue plastic. The extra 5 pins are hard to see. Slower USB is white or black. USB 1.0 is really slow.
Some micro and mini USB support alt modes for the pins instead of +V, D+, D- and 0V. Can be passive adaptor to stereo headphone. There can be mic or composite video connection! Such things as GSM smart watches (no BT), Video / still cameras that can use the mini or micro USB for data transfer, Web cam or passive analogue A/V.
See also RJ45 connectors common for ethernet. Also used for microphones, RS232, analogue video and two in parallel for for HDMI extension cables. Also the ethernet can carry power.·