--- title: "What is USB-C?" description: "What is USB-C?" author: "Baishakhi Ghosh" published: 2023-10-06 updated: 2023-10-10 canonical: https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/102329/what-is-usb-c category: "hardware" tags: ["hard disk drives"] reading_time: 2 minutes --- # What is USB-C? ## Answers ### Answer by Saumya Mishra **USB-C, or USB Type-C, is a connector that supersedes [previous](https://yourviews.mindstick.com/view/81421/unlock-2-0-is-just-like-previous-corona-lockdowns) USB [connectors](https://www.mindstick.com/articles/279839/enrgtech-signal-application-connectors) and can carry very-high-speed data, e.g. to drive multiple large displays, and substantial power, such as to power a computer. It is not only for USB but is used by other protocols, including [Thunderbolt](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/102468/explain-the-significance-of-a-laptop-s-thunderbolt-connectivity), HDMI, and DisplayPort, and is [extensible](https://www.mindstick.com/blog/59/xaml-extensible-application-markup-language) to support future standards.** USB-C is reversible and has **24 pins**. It is **smaller and more durable than previous USB connectors**, and it can be **plugged in either way**. USB-C cables are also capable of carrying more power than previous USB cables, making them **ideal for charging** laptops and other devices. USB-C is quickly becoming the [standard](https://www.mindstick.com/articles/23223/naming-convention-or-coding-standard) connector for many devices, including smartphones, tablets, laptops, and even some [desktops](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/102318/what-is-ssd-in-computers). It is also being used in a variety of other devices, such as monitors, TVs, and [external storage](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/51515/how-much-internal-storage-does-each-iphone-model-have-can-internal-storage-be-expanded-is-it-possible-to-add-external-storage-does-the-iphone-have-a-microsd-slot) devices. Here are some of the [benefits](https://www.mindstick.com/articles/44875/know-the-top-5-ghee-benefits-for-babies-and-what-brand-to-prefer) of USB-C: - **Reversible connecto**r: You can plug in a USB-C cable either way, without having to worry about which side is up. - **Faster [data transfer](https://www.mindstick.com/forum/159749/what-are-data-transfer-objects-dtos-and-why-are-they-used-in-api-development) speeds**: USB-C supports data transfer speeds of up to **10Gbps,** which is twice as fast as USB 3.0. - **More power delivery**: USB-C can deliver **up to 100W** of power, which is enough to charge most laptops and other devices. - **Versatility**: USB-C can be used for a variety of purposes, including data transfer, charging, and video output. If you are buying a new device, it is worth looking for one that has a USB-C port. USB-C is the future of connectivity, and it is [likely to become](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/31476/which-data-base-language-is-likely-to-become-approved-both-by-ansi-and-iso) the standard connector for all types of devices in the coming years. --- Original Source: https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/102329/what-is-usb-c Copyright © MindStick Software Pvt. Ltd. This Markdown version is provided for developers, AI systems, and offline reading.