What is Type C USB ?
USB Type C is the latest connector which was first introduced in August 12, 2014 by the USB Implementers Forum. The Introduction came shortly after Apple's lightning connector market reveal in 2012. Similar to Apple's lightning connector, the Type C USB is also made to be more user friendly and powerful than its predecessor.
The Engineers at USB Implementers Forum created Type C USB connector with a goal to remove the hassle of managing multiple different cables with different connectors for all the devices and instead provide consumers with one definative connector cable for all their Electronic Devices.
How USB Type C was Invented ?
USB Type C Connector was a result of discussion between Computer giants namely, Intel, AMD, HP and Microsoft while they were working on the development of USB 3.1 Specification. With the Successful Agreement on place, USB Implementers Forum which is nonprofit organization founded by 700+ tech giants started to develop USB Type C Connector.
On August 12, 2014, USB Implementers Forum or USB IF first Introducted it to the market and taking forward, Apple and Google were among the first OEMs to implement it in their laptops. This was followed by all the other tech giants in the coming years.
How Type C USB is Better than Type A USB ?
First up to Compare the Physical form factor of both of this connectors, Type A USB comes in flat rectangular shape. Type A USB is a most common connector which can easily be found in our TVs, Laptops, etc. Whereas, Type C USB comes in much smaller, rounded, and in symmetrical shape which means you can insert it to the port in any way with out thinking if its Upside Down or Vise versa.
USB Type C is the newest and can be found on selective devices, mostly on Expensive and Flagship products. Irrespective of this fact, USB Type C is by far the most capable connector which can carry significant amount of power to your electronic device and can transfer data at double the speed of Type A USB and other conventional USB connectors. ie, Up to speed of 10 Gbps using USB 3.0 USB Specification.
Types of USB Type C Cables.
USB Type C is avaliable with 4 different specifications.
- USB 3.2 Gen 1 which offer maximum speed of 5 Gbps.
- USB 3.2 Gen 1x2 which offer maximum speed of 10 Gbps.
- USB 3.2 Gen 2x1 which offer maximum speed of 10 Gbps.
- USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 which offer maximum speed of 20 Gbps.
Advantages of Type C USB ?
Reversible Connector.
In USB Type A Connector, user have to make sure the connector is in upright orientation before it is plugged in to the port. Whereas in case of USB Type C, the Connector comes in rounded and symmetrical shape. This particular design add in greater level of Convienence to the user to plug in the Connector to the port in any orientation.
Multiple Interface Support.
As we discussed in the Types of USB Type C Specifications, the Connector comes with numerous specification which can be added by the manufacturer in the required products.
Issues in Type C USB ?
Lack of USB Type C Enabled Devices.
As we discussed earlier in this article, USB Type C Specific Connector devices is only made avaliable for the Expensive and Flagship devices because of which OEMs are currently manufacturing only in certain number. As the number of Demand increases by the Device manufacturers, the price there by will gradually decrease and Eventually we could get Type C USB Enabled Devices at Reasonable Rates.
Confusion with Different Types of USB Type C Cables.
USB Type C was invented in order to remove the inconvienence caused to the user by carrying multiple different cables for all types of different devices and Instead make it easier for the user with Type C Connector where in the user would need to carry only one cable for all their devices. However, it really isnt the case because today if you got out to buy Type C USB, you will be bombarded with numerous types of Type c USB Cables.
One Cable will offer you feature to only charge. While other cable will only offer you with data transfer. To Add on to this, you will also find Type C USB Cable which will only offer speed upto 5 Ghz and if you want to transfer data more 5 Ghz then you have to find other alternate Type C Cable. Some Cable would only be Compatible with Television. While some could only be compabitle with smaller devices.
So Again. all this really jumble up the Issue and bring us back to issue because of which Type C USB was developed in the first place.
Why Goverment of India made Type C USB mandatory in the Country ?
On November 17, 2022. Rohit Kumar Singh from Consumer Affairs Secretary stated in his tweet that “India will shift to a USB type C charging port for all smart devices after stakeholders reached a consensus at a meeting of an inter-ministerial task force setup by the Union government."
“During the meeting, a broad consensus emerged among stakeholders on adoption of USB Type-C as a charging port for electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets and laptops etc. Further, it was deliberated that a different charging port may be adopted for feature phones,".
With this Notification, it is evident that goverment plans to mandate only two different chargers. One will be Type C Enabled for all the budget and higher range smart devices while the other Charger will be specifically for the Feature Phones. If this is made mandatory across the country, this will significally reduce the electronic waste and help Indian consumers with simple one cable carry approach.
Earlier this year, On October 04, 2022. European Union also approved the law which mandates the use of only USB Type C Connector for all wired charging systems in electronic devices by Dec 2024. Whereas in India, though it is Not Official Annoucement from the Government. But with the Notification in place. It will soon be law in India as well.