USB cable for phone: how to choose and what you need to know?

Are there people who have never had their charger cable break?

Everyone is familiar with the tips for increasing the service life of the cord: installing a regular small spring at the base of the plug, minimizing bends, careful storage, and so on. But all (or almost all) of these actions only delay the day when there will be a need to go to a mobile electronics store for a new accessory.

When buying a USB cable, a logical question arises: which one to choose so as not to make a mistake? The answer depends on many factors, because for some people the charging speed is important, and for others the main thing is that the color of the cable matches the new case. Let's figure it out.

MicroUSB

The most famous and popular of these solutions is the MicroUSB connector, which allows not only charging the device, but also transferring data. With its spread, there is no longer a need to have its own charger for each gadget, and the MicroUSB/USB Type-A cable has become a universal way to connect a smartphone to both a charger and a computer or laptop.

Important: the phone charges much slower from a PC than from a charger connected directly to an outlet. If you want to charge your device as quickly as possible, put it in airplane mode and use the charger.

The dimensions of the connector are only 7x2 mm. It was compactness that became one of the main factors that played in its favor when manufacturers were choosing between MicroUSB and MiniUSB options. The standard provides power up to 2.5 W and allows you to fully charge the phone in 1-5 hours, depending on the battery capacity, as well as the characteristics of the charger and the device itself. The maximum data transfer rate through such a connector in theory can be up to 480 Mbit/s, but in practice it is limited by many factors and can be several times lower.

In 2009, 13 companies producing smartphones and other digital equipment, including such large ones as Samsung and Apple, signed a document confirming their intention to standardize connectors and interfaces. The reasons are not only marketing, but also political, as well as reputational - European authorities have repeatedly called on manufacturers not to increase the number of different chargers, which then need to be recycled or disposed of.

About a year later, the European Parliament published a statement officially calling on mobile device manufacturers to switch to a single standard. This policy of representatives of various states played a role in securing microUSB as a universal connector for charging gadgets and transferring files. Only a few companies abandoned it. The most famous among them is Apple.

USB-C

USB-C is an industry standard for high-speed data transfer and power that is now used in a growing number of devices, including the latest smartphones, external SSDs and high-end laptops.

The USB-C connector may at first appear similar to the Micro-USB connector since both have curved edges, although the USB-C connector is slightly thicker and wider.

USB-C connector

Perhaps the most important and desirable feature of USB-C connectors is switchability. This means that USB-C connectors are not oriented up or down (as is the case with USB-A and USB-B connectors). They can be inserted correctly every time without turning over.

Another advantage of USB-C cables is that they carry at least 3A of current at 60W. USB-C to USB-C cables are designed to carry higher 5V current.

USB-C cables based on the USB 3.1 standard have a maximum data transfer limit of 10 Gbps. Older cables that support USB 2.0 can only transfer up to 480 Mbps.

OTG standard

Many models of smartphones and tablets can be connected to the same models of flash drives as a PC - you only need the device to support the OTG standard and a special adapter.

Using it, you can connect to your phone not only a compact flash drive, but also a computer mouse, keyboard or gamepad. The adapter is also suitable for connecting a printer - documents and pictures can be printed directly from a mobile gadget.

USB Mini and Micro Type B

USB Micro-B Connector
Mini-USB connectors were first introduced in 1998 for electronic devices such as early smartphones and tablet computers. While Mini-A connectors have long been discontinued, Mini Type-B is still supported by a small number of devices.

Micro-USB connectors are designed specifically for modern portable devices such as smartphones and cameras, which are much thinner than earlier devices. The thickness of the Micro-USB connector is almost half that of the Mini-USB.

Lightning

Previously, the Cupertino company's mobile gadgets used Apple's proprietary 30pin standard, but since 2012 it was replaced by the eight-pin Apple Lightning connector, which is similar in charging and data transfer speeds to MicroUSB. Calls from officials and the media did not lead to the abandonment of its own connector; instead, the company released a number of adapters with which you can charge your iPhone using regular USB chargers.

USB cable pinout by color

The cable description indicates its default plug orientation. The pinout is determined by the outside. If it is necessary to describe the structure from the installation side, this fact must be noted in the technical documentation. Insulating areas are marked dark gray on the connector and light gray on the metal part of the housing.

Purple markings are used on charging wires and DATA cables.

Pinout is necessary to identify a faulty line during repair. It indicates the purpose of a particular component.

USB Type-C and USB 3.1 - what is the difference

The actual information transfer speed is usually several times less than the maximum and can be limited not only by the supported standard, but also by the cable, the port of a smartphone, tablet or computer, the performance of the controller and memory, so the theoretical limit is unattainable in real use scenarios.

Conclusion

Almost all modern smartphones and tablets are equipped with a microUSB connector (all of them comply with USB 2.0 specifications) or USB Type-C with support for USB 2.0, 3.0 or 3.1. Some of them have a fast charging function that requires a compatible charger - the implementation options in models from different manufacturers in this case differ. MicroUSB is slowly moving into the category of a connector for low-cost devices, and USB Type-C is now found not only in flagship smartphones, but also in mid-price gadgets, and sometimes in budget phones. At the same time, buyers should not let their guard down - before purchasing a new device, they should familiarize themselves with its characteristics and clarify which version of USB a particular model supports, if it is equipped with a USB Type-C connector.

An exception that does not use microUSB or USB Type-C is the iPhone - Apple smartphones have a proprietary Lightning connector instead, and to charge them using the USB interface you need an adapter cable.

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USB types depending on their version

There are two ways to classify a USB cable; based on its version or generation, which relates to the functionality (data speed) of the cable, and on its physical design.

Before we dive into the different types of USB cables, let's first understand a few terms associated with them. A typical USB cable has two connectors, one on each side. One is for the host, which includes all types of computers (PCs, tablets), and the other is for the receiver, any portable device (smartphone) to which data needs to be transferred. The slot into which the USB is inserted is called a port or socket. Anyway, let's get down to business.

Since 1996, four major versions or generations of USB standards have been introduced. These are USB 1.0, USB 2.0, USB 3.0 and USB4. USB4 is the latest.

Table showing the different versions of USB and the transfer speeds they support.

The original USB, USB 1.0, supports a dual-speed bus with a data transfer rate of 1.5 Mbps for low-cost devices with low data transfer rates (keyboards, mice) and 12 Mbps for devices with high data transfer rates (printers, disk drives). This multi-bus architecture is extended to USB 2.0 (launched in 2001). However, a third, "high speed" bus was added with a maximum data transfer rate of 480 Mbit/s.

The Universal Serial Bus first gained attention in 1988 (when USB 1.1 was introduced) with the release of the Apple iMac. It was the first widely known product with USB technology. PC manufacturers soon followed suit, replacing legacy ports with USB in their products. So the initial success of USB is tied to the success of the iMac.

Types of connectors

The types of USB connectors depend on the function performed and the speed at which data is transferred. Thanks to the existence of several types of USB connectors, extended functionality is covered, which allows the user to simplify the connection between the computer and the device (mouse, keyboard, iPad, MFP, scanner, etc.).

When choosing a USB, you need to pay attention to the type of USB cable, the function and transfer speed.

Type-A

This USB connector still ranks among other types. The user encounters such cables every day. These include storage devices (flash drives), USB cables from chargers. Most cameras and routers are equipped with this type of USB cable. It is reliable and safe to use. It is harder to break and disable it.

This type is equipped with a built-in security system. The cable can only be inserted into the computer on one side. If you turn the cord over, it simply will not fit into the connector. Which is an advantage. Especially when using the cable by inexperienced users.

Type-B

Type B is used to connect peripherals - MFPs, scanners, faxes, and so on. A type B cable is not always supplied with the device and often you have to purchase it yourself. There are 2 types of USB type b cables: micro- and mini-USB.

A type of mini USB is an outdated USB port. This is an early version of the micro type. The use of mini USB is kept to a minimum. But still, sometimes there are devices that use this type of connection. You can see what micro USB looks like in the photo.

Type-C

It was invented relatively recently (first appeared on the market in 2014). The USB Type C connector is at the beginning of its development and is not actively used. Has reduced dimensions of both inputs. First used by Apple, which continues to improve this development today.

USB micro

The USB micro cable has 5 pins (contact pads), to which the corresponding wire from the installation cable is connected. It has latches to securely secure it to the port. Contacts are identified by numerical designations that are read from right to left.

There are these types of USB connectors:

• first – VCC, isolation, nominal 5V, for power supply
• second – D-, white wire;
• third – D+, green marking;
• fourth – ID, without color identification, in connectors A connected to ground;
• the fifth is black, grounding.

The shielding part of the plug has a chamfer that ensures a tight fit of the parts. The shielding wire is not soldered to the pads. Cables with micro and mini plugs have identical distribution, differing only in the size of the plug.

Interface compatibility

USB connectors of the same type are distinguished by the version produced. The 3.0 standard interface offers data transfer rates of up to 1 Gbit/s. The cost of the 3rd standard is an order of magnitude higher than the second, but users choose it because the 3.0 standard has increased transmission speed.

The interfaces are compatible, but work with degradation in quality and efficiency. For example, if you insert a 2.0 cable into a 3.0 port, the transmitter will operate at 2.0 speed. This is also observed in the opposite direction.

Therefore, to properly use USB standard 3.0, you need a connector in the computer with the same speed. Otherwise, the money will be given in vain. The speed of information exchange will not change.

USB is a universal serial bus that allows the device to communicate with a computer. USB types depend on the functionality performed by the cable. You need to be careful when choosing a cable; the speed of the device depends on it.

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Benefits of the USB interface

• Although USB was primarily developed to normalize communication between personal computers and auxiliary devices, there are several other benefits of the USB interface.
• It is self-configuring, which means that there is no need to set up/configure its settings before using it.
• USB devices can be added or replaced to the system without shutting down or rebooting the system (hot-swappable).
• Its power supply capability allows you to power small devices without an additional power cord.
• The USB data transfer protocol and signal reception are always reliable, regardless of its version.

What types of connectors are there for charging phones?

The first connector in phones was intended specifically for charging the gadget. Each manufacturer has its own standards, so in the past, often the charger from one cell phone did not fit the size of another. At the beginning of 2000, companies took into account the inconvenience and impracticality of connectors and began to use unified options.

What types of connectors are there for charging phones?

There are several types of universal connectors designed for charging a mobile phone.

Micro USB

Today this connector is used in almost all Android phones, except Type-C. The wire not only charges the gadget, but also transfers data to a computer or laptop. The cord is gradually fading into the background, but remains in demand due to the following advantages:

Providing an OTG phone allows them to act as hosts. If you need to transfer data directly from your smartphone to your computer, then this option will allow you to do this without intermediaries. You can also connect any device to the gadget – storage device, mouse, keyboard, headphones.

Micro USB comes in different types. Version 2.0 of the type is used in gadgets by default. This is the standard for the latest modifications of tablets and phones. The second 3.0 connector is installed only on smartphones and cell phones of some brands.

Lightning

This type of connector is used by Apple, which is the company that created it. The charging type is expensive. The Chinese sell fakes for half the price, but they can quickly fail, since even original cords often break due to their fragility. Benefits of charging:

Type-C

The variety was created in 2014. The cord's connector is oval-shaped and symmetrical, so it can be inserted on either side. The new charger was required to facilitate the operation of the USB 2.0 standard - it has only 4 contacts, while version 3.1 has 24. Thanks to its high power, the connector is universal and has the following advantages:

Previously, phones could be used as PCs by connecting different devices to them. With Type-C, the potential of this function is increased due to its high power. But not all connectors are equipped with version 3.1.

Some companies equip smartphones with Type-C connectors, but install USB 3.0 inside. It has weaker technical characteristics. They may even introduce version 2.0. Therefore, before purchasing a device, you should make sure that it is 3.1.

Type-C charging is installed on the following models:

The Type-C connector has grown in popularity in recent years. Despite this, the usual USB will still not leave the market. It is estimated that about 20 billion devices in the world are equipped with USB Type A charging.

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Where is USB used?

As an industry standard, USB cables are used to connect desktop or laptop computers to external hardware devices such as keyboards, mice, flash drives, printers, and game controllers.

USB interface has become so popular in recent years that you can easily find them even in cars and electrical outlets in homes. Modern smartphones, tablet computers and many portable devices now support USB cables and connectors for faster charging than other types of cables.

Choosing a charger for a smartphone

To choose the right charger, you need to know the technical characteristics that determine the consumer properties of the charger. It is equally important to understand what and in what direction is affected by the discrepancy between the adapter parameters and those specified in the technical specifications for the mobile gadget.

Types of chargers

In most cases, mobile gadgets are equipped with a standard network adapter, and other types must be purchased separately.

Types of charging connectors

At the beginning of the era of mobile gadgets, device manufacturers made connectors for each individual device. This brought them some additional profit, since the owner was forced to purchase only original chargers - others did not match the shape of the plug or voltage, and it was difficult to choose a suitable option. Users had to endure the inconvenience. Now the situation has changed, leading participants in the mobile gadgets market are striving for standardization. Most devices use three types of terminals for charging and data transfer.

Lightning

This connector is used in Apple mobile devices. It replaced the bulky 30-pin terminal and is the standard for gadgets produced by this company, although there is information about the company’s plans to switch to USB Type C. The connector is double-sided - you can connect on one side or the other. This was the first time such a solution was used when developing a connector, and at that time it was a breakthrough.

The advantages of such a connector are its robust design, as well as the ability to be cleaned of dirt when connected.

If you analyze the location and purpose of the pins in the connector, it becomes obvious that the functionality of the pins is asymmetrical. The connection direction is determined at the moment of connection by the built-in chip. The same microcircuit serves as protection against counterfeiting.

MicroUSB

This connector replaced the MiniUSB connector. Its visible difference from the previous modification is its size. In fact, microUSB has other advantages:

The disadvantages include the need for positioning when connecting (the connector is not reversible like Type C or Lightning). This led to a reduction in the use of this terminal.

Charging cords use a type B plug, since the phone in most cases acts as a peripheral device.

Wire 4 defines the purpose of the connector in On-the-Go mode (when additional devices are connected to the phone directly) - a connection to the common wire means that the end is connected to the host, and if the pin is not connected to anything, the connector is connected to the peripheral device.

USB Type C

The most common and at the same time the most promising connector for mobile equipment is USB Type C. It is designed for use with gadgets with the Android operating system, but it is also used by manufacturers of other mobile equipment.

The oval plug contains two rows of contacts - one row is numbered from A1 to A12, the other - from B1 to B12. The contacts are located symmetrically, so the plug can be inserted on either side and no microcircuits are required to determine the position. Contacts can be grouped by functionality.

The power bus is parallelized into two pins. This allows additional power to be transmitted, which can reach 100 watts for some cables. This implies a current of up to 20 amperes at a supply voltage of 5 volts. A regular cord is rated for 1.5 or 3 amperes.

The receiver (RX) and transmitter (TX) pins of the USB 3.0 bus in the cable are crossed (recrossed), so what is the receiver input on one side is connected to the transmitter output on the other side and vice versa. The configuration pin defines:

The SBU pin is used very rarely.

The USB Type C connector has much greater capabilities compared to Lightning and better development prospects. Therefore, information about the possible transition of Apple technology to this type of connector has a basis.

For clarity, we will support the video.

Current parameters

When choosing the type of charger, first of all you need to pay attention to one of the most important parameters - the highest current that the adapter can produce. The lower the current, the longer the battery will charge , and if the charger is designed for a very low current (0.5 A or less), then it can be turned off by overload protection. This charger is suitable for charging wireless headphones and other low-power devices.

For middle-class smartphones, a charger with a current of 1.0..1.5 A (1000..1500 mA) is quite suitable. For more serious phones and other equipment with capacious batteries, you need to choose adapters with a current of 1.5..3 A. If the device supports the fast charging function, then a current of at least 5 A will be required. The easiest way to determine the required current is to look at the parameters on the body of the native charger and purchase a charger with equal or greater power.

Availability of fast charging

Some smartphones support fast charging. It is produced by a large current, so you need to choose a charger with the appropriate parameters (from 5 A). Manufacturers claim that this mode does not damage the battery, but this statement is quite disingenuous. A charging current that is increased within reasonable limits cannot clearly damage the battery, but at the same time the battery life is significantly (several times) reduced. The choice is up to the user. In addition, not every gadget supports this mode. Therefore, before you pay for additional power, you need to find out whether such a function will be needed at all.

What's next?

There is a popular saying that “nothing lasts forever,” and in the world of technology, this couldn't be more accurate. While Type-A and Type-B ports and cables are still widely used, USB-C is poised to replace them in the near future.

USB-C port on MacBook

The latest USB-C ports support the Thunderbolt 3 protocol, which provides maximum data transfer speeds of up to 40 Gbps. USB4, which has not yet reached the mass market, standardizes Thunderbolt 3 speeds.

High data and power throughput allows USB-C connectors to connect directly to multiple audio and video interfaces without the need for any adapters. These include MHL (Mobile High-Definition Link), HDMI and DisplayPort devices.

Since 2014, an increasing number of electronic devices, including smartphones, PC/laptop motherboards and external hard drives, have begun to support USB-C. Reversible USB-C cables, which connect to both the host and receiver, are faster and more efficient than the old Type-A and Type-B connectors.

The growing USB-C ecosystem means you'll soon need supported ports and connectors to transfer data and charge your laptops. Although Apple was the first company to introduce USB-C ports on its devices, they are increasingly found on other mainstream devices. Expensive PCs and laptops have at least one USB-C port.

USB cable selection

In addition to the network adapter, you need to pay attention to the wire. It is removable and sold separately.

Cable shape

Cables are most often flat or round. The form does not affect the charging current and time, it is simply ease of use (mostly personal preference):

The length of the cable is more important - the shorter it is, the less it limits the charging current. There are fewer losses in a short cord, which is important when charging from a PowerBank. But a long one is preferable in some cases - when you need to work and charge the gadget at the same time, and the power source is far away. In some situations, it is convenient to use a cord curled in the shape of a spring - it is also not prone to tangling.

You can make a spiral cord yourself. To do this, you need to wrap it around a suitable mandrel (the ends can be secured, for example, with plastic clamps) and heat the cable with a hairdryer . After complete cooling, the resulting spiral cord is ready for use. If you don’t have a hair dryer, the wire wound around the mandrel can be briefly immersed in boiling water, making sure that the liquid does not get into the connectors.

When heating the cable, it is important not to exceed the temperature so that the insulation does not melt. You should also avoid heating the plastic parts of the connectors - they can become deformed.

Braid material

Most cords are produced in regular PVC insulation. It has excellent electrical properties, but its resistance to mechanical stress, including abrasion, is low. Also, such a cord is highly likely to break the conductors when bent under small radii. Therefore, charging cables are often supplemented with braiding, which is made from various materials (in descending order of protective properties):

The additional sheath does not affect the electrical characteristics; when repairing the cable, it is often simply removed.

Throughput current

The thickness of the conductor and the material determine whether it will heat up at a sufficiently high charging current. In fact, wires with a cross-section of 0.75 square meters. mm (diameter without insulation 1 mm) of reasonable length is enough to work without problems at currents up to 8 A. This is enough for all occasions. Wires of smaller diameter are not used for reasons of mechanical strength. And it’s not easy to determine the cross-section of a conductor even by eye - it is under insulation.

But if there is a suspicion that the thickness of the conductors is still small in relation to the declared current, it is better to refrain from purchasing such a cord. Overheating and even fire are possible. The final charge current is determined by the lower of two values ​​- the highest current of the adapter or the highest permissible current of the cord.

Pros and cons of magnetic plugs

Not long ago, magnetic phone connectors began to go on sale and quickly gained popularity. The essence of such a connector is that an additional adapter is inserted into the phone socket, on one side of which there is a plug corresponding to the phone terminal, and on the other side there are two (or more) magnetic contact pads.

On the cord to the charger there is a mating part, which mates with the adapter through a magnetic field created by permanent magnets. At a distance of about one or two centimeters, both sides are attracted and become in working position. In this case, you do not need to visually or by touch search for the exact location of the socket on the phone and you do not need to determine the polarity of the connection for the microUSB connector. This is especially convenient when driving in a car . At the same time, the cord does not get twisted again, which extends its service life.

Mechanical loads on the phone socket are reduced several times, which also extends the period of reliable operation. Another advantage is the protection of the gadget’s internal connector from dirt.

But such a connector also has disadvantages. First of all, this is the appearance of an extra detachable contact, which means an additional source of unreliability. In addition, this contact slightly reduces the charging current and increases the energy replenishment time. Contamination of the exposed surface of the connector can lead to poor contact quality and further limit the charging current, and the magnet can attract metal dust. Particulate matter on the surface also interferes with a secure mating.

Many magnetic connectors have only two contact pads dedicated to charging voltage. This means that there are simply no conductors in the cord for data transfer, and, for example, it is impossible to download files from a computer using such a cable. For those cords that provide this opportunity, you need a special adapter with large dimensions. It noticeably protrudes beyond the dimensions of the gadget. And an important fact is that a magnetic cord costs more than a regular one.

Video review of magnetic cables.

Quality of Chinese chargers and cables

Cheap chargers and cables from unknown manufacturers in Southeast Asia may be of poor quality. First of all, this applies to the use of alloys of unknown composition in conductors instead of copper. This may result in overheating or limited charging current. The same effect is caused by an undersized wire cross-section and poor-quality soldering (or even crimp connection) of the connectors. Simplified circuit design can lead to non-optimal charging modes, which reduces battery life. And the simplest, but most unpleasant thing is that the lifespan of such devices is, as a rule, short, and such an adapter can fail at any time.

You need to consciously choose a charger for your mobile gadget. Otherwise, not only disappointments, but also technical problems cannot be avoided. And in the worst case, even financial losses.

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Key points of choice

In general, when purchasing, pay attention to:

• technical characteristics (power, permissible current), since if they are deficient, charging a smartphone or tablet will take a long time, and in some cases may be completely absent;
• When purchasing a charging cord for Apple products, check the presence of o, which confirms certification.

At the same time, it is important to check the quality of workmanship, since very soft and thin wires and unreliable connectors will be clear signs of attempts to save money. The result will be short-term use and the need to purchase a new cord in the future.

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