What is a USB cable?
In the case of device accessories, USB (Universal Serial Bus) is a widely adopted standard of cable and connector technology, used for device charging, as well as data transfer and communication between devices and accessories. USB cables cover a range of connector types, though the most common are USB-A and USB-C. You will be familiar with them, even if you don’t know them by name.
What is a USB-A cable?
See Example – The larger connector on this cable is a USB-A connector.
USB-A is a connector type that can be found at one or more ends of a USB cable. Most computers have a few USB-A ports. They are a common connector type for peripheral devices, such as keyboards and computer mice (though USB-C versions are also growing more popular), and are also a common port type for mains chargers or USB wall sockets. Phones and tablets don’t tend to have a USB-A port, however plenty of charging cables and data cables have a USB-A connector on the opposite end, either to connect to the mains, or to a computer for data transfer.
What is a USB-C / Type C cable?
See Example – Both ends of this cable have a USB-C/Type C connector.
A USB-C connector (or a Type C connector) is another connector type used by USB cables. Sometimes, USB cables will have a USB-A connector on one end and a USB-C connector on the other. Sometimes, they might have a USB-C connector on both ends, or even a Lightning connector on one end. What you use depends on the devices you're trying to hook up. USB-C ports are the predominant connector type for modern phones and tablets. Even Apple began their switch away from their proprietary Lightning connector to USB-C in 2023, with the iPhone 14 being the last iPhone model to not use USB-C. More computer accessories have started using a USB-C connector instead of a USB-A, and even some audio devices like headphones have moved to USB-C in-place of standard audio connectors. Bear in mind that these original connector types remain very common in the modern market.
What is a Lightning, iPhone, or MFi cable?
See Example – This cable has a USB-C connector on one end and a Lightning connector on the other.
Until recently, Apple devices have widely used Apple’s proprietary connector type, Lightning. Off-brand third-party versions may market them as ‘iPhone cables’, or ‘8-Pin cables’, meaning they claim to have compatibility with Apple devices, but have not passed Apple’s MFi licensing program. In order for a product to be (legally) marketed as Lightning, manufacturers must acquire Apple’s approval and acknowledgement to qualify as MFi certified (Made For iPod/iPhone/iPad), requiring that they meet certain specifications and standards.
What is a Micro-USB cable?
See Example – The smaller connector on this cable is a Micro-USB connector.
Micro-USB is an older USB connector utilised by older phone models and various other devices, from cameras, to games consoles, to electric trimmers. While devices that utilise Micro-USB remain in production, they are becoming less common. That being said, it’s advisable to have a cable with a Micro-USB connector handy. You’re more than likely to need it from time to time.