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USB-A, or USB Type A, is the original flat and rectangular connector that no one could ever figure out how to plug in correctly the first time. These cables always have USB-A on one end with a different port type on the other, and can be used for device charging and data transfer.
USB Type-A connectors are the most common type of USB connection you'll find. You'll find USB Type-A ports in most modern computers, laptops, game consoles (like the PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch), smart TVs, streaming media players, and other devices. These USB Type-A ports are also called receptacles.
The differences between USB-C, USB-B, and USB-A are most obvious in their physical form, but the distinctions run much deeper. USB-C is a more versatile and powerful standard and is set to be the main connector for years to come.
USB-A and USB-C are two of the most common cable connector types, but it can be hard to tell which is which. In this guide we'll detail the differences between them.
USB Type-A connectors, officially called Standard-A connectors, are flat and rectangular in shape. Type A is the "original" USB connector and is the most recognizable and commonly used connector. USB Type-A connectors are supported in every USB version, including USB 3.0, USB 2.0, and USB 1.1.
The USB Type A connector is compatible with all USB standards, starting from USB 1.0, which had a speed of 1.5 Mbps (megabits per second), to the latest USB 3.2 Gen 2×2, which offers speeds of up to 20 Gbps (Gigabits per second).
What is USB Type A? Up until type C emerged, the A connector signified a host (usually a computer or charger), while the various types of “B” connectors paired with a device, like a printer or smartphone. USB A originally featured four connectors, and this spec is still prevalent today.
When it comes to picking the right USB cable type or connector type for you, consider the devices you’re looking to connect, and what kind of performance and features you need. If your devices only support USB-A, then your best bet is likely to be a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A cable.
Each type of USB connector not only varies in form factor but also in functionality and data transfer rates. For example, while Standard-A connectors support basic data transfer speeds up to 480 Mbps (USB 2.0), USB Type-C can support much faster transfer rates up to 10 Gbps (USB 3.1) or even higher with Thunderbolt 3 compatibility.
USB Type-A stands as the classic, widely recognized connector. Here we will cover the history of USB-A and its distinguishing features. The History of USB Type A. Universal Serial Bus Type A is the original design for the USB standard and has been around since USB was introduced in the 1990s.