USB stands for Universal Serial Bus, and it is a standard for connecting devices and transferring data. USB has evolved over the years, with different versions offering different speeds, power delivery and display output capabilities. In this blog post, we will compare some of the most common USB versions: USB 1.0, USB 2.0, USB 3.0 Gen 1, USB 3.0 Gen 2, USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 and USB 4.0.
Charging
One of the main functions of USB is to charge devices such as smartphones, tablets, laptops and peripherals. The amount of power that a USB port can deliver depends on the version, the connector type and the cable used. The table below summarizes the maximum power delivery (PD) of some USB versions.
| USB Version | Connector Type | Max PD |
|---|---|---|
| USB 1.0 | Type-A, Type-B | 2.5 W |
| USB 2.0 | Type-A, Type-B, Type-C, Mini, Micro | 2.5 W |
| USB 3.0 Gen 1 / USB 3.1 Gen 1 / USB 3.2 Gen 1 | Type-A, Type-B, Type-C, Micro | 4.5 W |
| USB 3.0 Gen 2 / USB 3.1 Gen 2 / USB 3.2 Gen 2 | Type-A, Type-C | 15 W |
| USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 | Type-C | 15 W |
| USB 4.0 | Type-C | Up to 240 W |
As we can see from the table, USB-C is the most versatile connector type for charging, as it can support up to 100 W of power delivery with the right cable and device. This means that USB-C can charge not only smartphones and tablets, but also laptops and monitors that support PD.
Data Transfer
Another main function of USB is to transfer data between devices such as external hard drives, flash drives, cameras and printers. The speed of data transfer depends on the version, the connector type and the cable used. The table below summarizes the maximum data transfer rate (DTR) of some USB versions.
| USB Version | Connector Type | Max DTR |
|---|---|---|
| USB 1.0 | Type-A, Type-B | 12 Mbps |
| USB 2.0 | Type-A, Type-B, Type-C, Mini, Micro | 480 Mbps |
| USB 3.0 Gen 1 / USB 3.1 Gen 1 / USB 3.2 Gen 1 | Type-A, Type-B, Type-C, Micro | 5 Gbps |
| USB 3.0 Gen 2 / USB 3.1 Gen 2 / USB 3.2 Gen 2 | Type-A, Type-C | 10 Gbps |
| USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 | Type-C | 20 Gbps |
| USB 4.0 | Type-C | Up to 40 Gbps |
All versions of USB can be used for transferring data. However, the transfer speed will vary depending on the version of USB and the cable used. USB 1.0 can transfer data at a maximum rate of 12 Mbps. USB 2.0 can transfer data at a maximum rate of 480 Mbps. USB 3.0 Gen 1 and USB 3.0 Gen 2 can transfer data at a maximum rate of 5 Gbps. USB 4.0 can transfer data at a maximum rate of 40 Gbps.
