How does USB-C work between phone and laptop?

[venom0706]

Pardon me if this is in the wrong section.

So far, I've always connected my laptop to my phone via USB 2.0 cable. My current S7E does so too. However, I noticed that newer phones support USB-C. How exactly does this connect to a laptop with USB 2.0/3.0 ports?

I am asking, because I am thinking of both buying a new phone and a new laptop at some point in the future. While the new laptop will have standard USB 2.0/3.0 ports, the phone will most likely be a new generation and have a USB-C type connector. How do I connect it to my laptop?

Thank you and appreciated!

 

[Aquila]

So two things here. There is the adapter type and the USB Version. The adapter is type A, Type B, Type C, micro B, etc. Adapters exist between most of these combinations. You're likely used to micro-B (commonly referred to as microUSB) to type A adapters which come with many phones. A to C, micro-B to C, A to B and the reverse of these exist.

The components will all support one of the following USB versions: USB 1.0, 1.1, 2.0, 3.0, 3.1 or 3.2. Higher versions are backwards compatible. The PC, device and cable will transmit data (and/or current) at the lowest of the max supported speed of the three components. So if you have a USB 3.1 cable and your PC supports 3.0 and your device supports 2.0, 2.0 is the slowest (max speed approx 480 Mbit/s) and so that's the speed you'll transmit at.

So for your laptop shopping, the only thing you should care about for the laptop (on the USB side of things) is getting the highest USB version available. Depending on how long you want to keep it, you might not want any USB 2 ports at all. Aim for 3.1, if you get 3, that's cool too. Then the phone, depending on what you get, will support 2.0, 3.0 or 3.1 and you get speeds equal to that of the slower one, assuming you're using a cable that supports that speed or better as well. On the laptop, it does not matter if the ports are Type A or type C (you won't have a B) in terms of speed. There are lots of A to C cables available if you need to bridge between the two types. The Type C port on the laptop becomes much more important if you're trying to use power delivery functionality and some of the other USB Type C benefits, but in terms of data transfers, not a thing that matters at all.

 

[venom0706]

Thanks for the long post!

I am slightly confused. So the USB-C cable I will get with the new phone package will still be able to connect to a laptop with USB 2.0 or 3.0 ports, correct?

 

[Aquila]

Thanks for the long post!

I am slightly confused. So the USB-C cable I will get with the new phone package will still be able to connect to a laptop with USB 2.0 or 3.0 ports, correct?

It depends on the phone. If it does not, you can get a very inexpensive cable from Amazon, etc. that can do it.

 

[aokusman1]

Likely the phone, like the s8, will come with a cable with usb c on one end only.

 

[venom0706]

Likely the phone, like the s8, will come with a cable with usb c on one end only.

And what does that mean? It can still be connected to the laptop or an extension will need to be bought?

 

[aokusman1]

And what does that mean? It can still be connected to the laptop or an extension will need to be bought?

Its the same usb cable you are used to but instead of the micro usb connection on the phone end, it has a usb C. The other end has the regular usb you plug into your computer.

 

[venom0706]

Its the same usb cable you are used to but instead of the micro usb connection on the phone end, it has a usb C. The other end has the regular usb you plug into your computer.

Thank you! Understand now! So what difference does it have compared to normal phone cables then (before USB-C)? Faster file transfer speeds?

 

[aokusman1]

Thank you! Understand now! So what difference does it have compared to normal phone cables then (before USB-C)? Faster file transfer speeds?

I have only used it to charge my phone.

 

[Aquila]

Thank you! Understand now! So what difference does it have compared to normal phone cables then (before USB-C)? Faster file transfer speeds?

The speed part is entirely up to the rating (the USB 2.0, 3.0, 3.1 or 3.2).