How and Why USB Has Remained the Most Popular Connector Type

It’s hard to imagine a world before USB cables, as most personal electronic devices today rely on them for connectivity and power.

This article will take an in-depth look at USB connectors, highlighting the different types of USBs and why they have remained the most popular choice for electronic cables.

What is USB and How Does it Work

A USB, or a universal serial bus, is a mechanical connector used to connect peripheral devices such as mobile phones, hard drives and cameras to computers.

Established in America in the mid-1990s, USBs offered a new standardised way to connect devices. In comparison to previous types of electronic connectors, USBs provided a simple way to connect various devices using just one connector and port and offered far greater connectivity speeds than other alternatives.

USB cables transport data between the internal components of a computer and an external device. They transmit both power and information, so you can use the same USB to charge your phone as you would to transfer data to and from a computer or laptop.

Types and Speed

There are several types of USBs like these, each designed for specific purposes and device compatibility.

USB Type-A: This is the most common type of USB connector on the market. It’s used to connect to devices such as laptops, computers, power adapters and USB hubs.

USB Type-B: This is most commonly used for connecting scanners, printers and other peripheral devices to a computer.

Mini-USB: These connectors are commonly used to connect devices such as digital cameras and older models of smartphones other portable devices.

Micro-USB: These connectors are reversible and allow insertion in either orientation and are commonly used for devices such as smartphones, tablets, speakers and many other portable devices.

USB Type-C: The newest and most versatile USB connector on the market. They can be used for transferring data and also charging devices. They offer faster data transfer speeds and power.

Why is USB so Popular

USB connectors are so popular to this day as they offer a simple and efficient way to charge many of your personal mobile devices using one single lead or connector. No one wants to have to carry around several different connectors on a daily basis, so using USB leads offers the perfect, simple solution. They are small, lightweight and easy to use.

Most popular devices such as mobile phones, cameras and laptops all use the same USB connector leads. However, Apple has its own version of USB cables to fit iPhones and other Apple devices. However, the company has recently announced it will be ditching its ‘Lighting’ USB connector and favouring the standardised USB-C port lead in the future.