USB 2.0 vs 3.0 vs Type C: Difference and Comparison

Key Takeaways

1. USB 2.0: Introduced in 2000, it offers a maximum data transfer rate of 480 Mbps, uses rectangular Type-A and Type-B connectors, and provides limited power delivery capabilities. It is backward compatible with USB 1.1 devices.
2. USB 3.0: Introduced in 2008, it provides a significant speed boost with a maximum data transfer rate of 5 Gbps, ten times faster than USB 2.0. It retains the rectangular connectors but adds a new Type-A connector called SuperSpeed USB. USB 3.0 is backward compatible with USB 2.0 devices and offers increased power output for faster charging.
3. USB Type-C: Introduced in 2014, it features a reversible, compact design suitable for thin devices. It supports various USB specifications, including USB 3.1 and USB 3.2, offering faster data transfer rates. USB Type-C ports also support higher power delivery and bi-directional power flow and are becoming increasingly common in modern devices.

What is USB 2.0?

Universal Serial Bus 2.0, shortly known as USB 2.0, is a standard way of data transfer. It was introduced in April 2000. As it is an older version, it works rather slowly. It can transfer data at speeds of up to 480 Mbps.

USB 2.0 is backward compatible with USB 1.1 devices, meaning that one can use USB 2.0 devices with USB 1.1 ports. However, the speeds will be low.

Basic devices like keyboards, printers, and mice use USB 2.0. Even though the latest version of this is available, USB 2.0 is still widely used.

What is USB 3.0?

The complete form of USB 3.0 is Universal Serial Bus 3.0. It is also a standard for data transfer and communication. It came after USB 2.0; as its name suggests, it is an advanced version. It went on the market in November 2008.

USB 3.0 can transfer data at speeds of up to 5 Gbps. It has improved power management, and more devices are compatible with it. The backward of USB 3.0 is compatible with USB 2.0 devices. Digital cameras, external hard drives, devices that capture video,s and other high-speed devices use USB 3.0.

What is Type C?

Type C is a USB connector brought up in the market in 2014. It is the latest type of USB connector available now. It can be plugged into a device in any orientation as it is designed to be fully reversible.

Type C USB is compatible with a wide range of devices. Laptops, tablets, smartphones, and even gaming consoles can be used with Type C. It has higher power delivery than the previous USB. It is also used for fast charging on mobile devices.

Difference Between USB 2.0 and 3.0 and Type C

1. USB 2.0 can transfer up to 480 Mbps data, while USB 3.0 can transfer up to 5 Gbps. At the same time, for Type C, the data transfer amount is up to 10 Gbps.
2. USB 2.0 has the slowest transfer speed compared to the other two. USB 3.0 has better speed than USB 2.0, but Type C is the fastest.
3. USB 2.0 is used for basic devices, while USB 3.0 and Type C are used for high-speed devices.
4. The cable type for USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 is standard, mini, and micro, but Type C is a USB Type-C cable.
5. USB 2.0 does not support audio, but USB 3.0 and Type C support audio.

Comparison Between USB 2.0 and USB 3.0, and Type C

Parameter of Comparison	USB 2.0	USB 3.0	Type C
Data transfer	It can transfer up to 480 Mbps.	It can transfer up to 5 Gbps.	It can transfer up to 10 Gbps.
Speed	It has the slowest transfer speed compared to others.	It has a faster transfer speed compared to USB 2.0.	It has the fastest transfer speed compared to the other two.
Power delivery	Its power delivery goes up to 2.5W.	Its power delivery goes up to 4.5W.	Its power delivery goes up to 100W.
Reversibility	It is not reversible at all.	It is not fully reversible.	It is fully reversible.
External GPUs	External GPUs are not supported here.	External GPUs are supported here.	External GPUs are supported here as well.

References

1. https://global-sei.com/technology/tr/bn90/pdf/E90-16.pdf
2. https://www.mdpi.com/1714120
3. http://www.microvolt.com/eLearning101/evolution-of-USB.pdf