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USB-C vs. USB-A: Which Has Faster Charging?

Fast charging is an incredible innovation, as you no longer need to wait more than an hour to charge your mobile device to more than 50%. As a result, many phone manufacturers have embraced fast charging technology. And with USB-C becoming the new standard for charging, how does it stack up with USB-A?

Generally, USB-C is faster than USB-A, but this also depends on your accessories and when you’re using the charger. In addition, there are many USB-A wall blocks and ports on your computer, vehicles, and laptops. 

To ensure your phone can charge faster, you need to find out which one offers the perfect platform. You can do more throughout the day with an option to charge the device quickly. So now, let’s learn more about USB-C and USB-A.

Which USB Version Charges Faster?

Connectors USB-A and USB-C on cable edges closeup

The USB-C is simply a physical connector. This means its data transfer and charging speeds depending on the USB version specification supported by your device.

A USB-C can deliver power up to 20 times faster than the basic USB connector. The USB-C port will easily carry 18 watts of power; even better, it’s compatible with the Power Delivery spec, allowing up to 100 watts. 

Power Delivery is a new specification designed to be a single charging standard for USB-C devices. It provides more flexibility than other USB charging standards and offers two-way compatibility to deliver and receive power. 

All the flexibility translates into faster charging, but the actual speed depends on the device and charger itself. For example, the typical phone will charge up to 30% within 30 minutes with a USB connector.

A phone with USB-C will reach 55% or more in the same period. In addition, some manufacturers specify that USB-C can achieve speeds up to 20 times better than older USB or lightning devices. 

Does USB-C Prevent Overcharging?

Among the worries you might have about using a USB-C is overcharging, as the charger can deliver power faster than older chargers. For example, a USB-C charger with Power Delivery will offer up to 100 watts.

It’s essential to understand the amount of power your device needs, so check the specs first. The best part of using USB-C is that this is a smart technology, as it does not allow you to overcharge your device.

So, if you plug into a 60-watt charger and your device needs only 15, you will not have much to worry about. However, if you use a small charger, you will not enjoy the impressive fast charging benefits of USB-C. 

It’s a common myth that you can overcharge your device and damage it. The charge flowing into your device is not an issue as most devices are smart and can stop charging when full, only topping up to keep the battery at 100%. The problems arise if the battery overheats, which could cause damage. 

Which Can Transfer Data Faster?

Besides using a USB to charge your device, you can also use the system for data transfer. Like charging, you also want a system to help you quickly transfer data. Between USB-C and USB-A, you will achieve faster data transfer if you use USB-C. 

This is a superior connection because of the higher data transfer rates, a symmetrical connection port, and the ability to charge large electronics.

Besides, USB-C is bidirectional, so a device can receive or send power. Also, power is delivered simultaneously with data transmission on the same connection. This means it’s easy to charge your phone with your laptop. 

Following the proper data standard, a USB-C connection offers faster data transfer speeds and is more versatile. Progressively, you can expect the USB-C standard to replace USB-A and other types of ports. However, this switchover will take years. Most computers still use USB-A alongside USB-C, primarily because of compatibility issues. 

What is the Price Difference?

Black braided wire with two red-black usb type-c connectors on a light background

It’s undeniable that USB-C offers a superior connection because of the charging and data transfer benefits. This makes it an industry standard as more manufacturers release devices with USB-C ports. However, the cost to implement the technology is still high, which is why some companies are still releasing devices with micro-USB. 

The receptacle is more expensive; this makes sense because it comes with more pins (24) and is also designed to withstand currents up to 5A. Because of the cost differences, you will pay more for a USB-C connector. Still, the price difference is not outrageous, especially considering the benefits you get from this technology. 

Besides being a new technology, USB-C is yet to be produced at the same level as USB-A, naturally making it more costly. However, with time, USB-C will become more popular, and economies of scale will push the cost of the receptacle down. 

What is USB Power Delivery?

USB Power Delivery (PD) is a new USB standard you will mostly find in flagship phones from big manufacturers. The standard was introduced to offer a charging standard that can work for all USB-C devices. It provides more flexibility than older charging standards and ensures a two-way flow, which can deliver or receive power. 

Because of PD, you can connect your phone and laptop, allowing the two devices to exchange information through the USB-C port. It uses Power Rules to help the two devices negotiate the best possible power transfer and pick the correct voltage and current.

PD should proliferate faster, as it appears in many devices, including laptops. If you have a PD device, only match it with a PD charger. This will give you the best performance on data transfer and charging times. 

Why Don’t iPhones Use USB-C?

If you’re an iPhone user, you might wonder what people are talking about when they mention USB-C. This is because Apple is yet to embrace the USB-C system.

While Apple laptops now offer USB-C, iPhones still have the proprietary lightning port and underpowered USB-A chargers. Despite Apple’s penny-pinching on accessories, you can still get USB-C charging speeds on any iPhone since iPhone 8.

All you need is to get the USB-C-to-Lightning cable from Apple. Of course, Apple wants you to pay for these additional accessories, but it’s a price worth paying as you can triple your charging speeds. 

Conclusion 

If you’re looking for the ideal way to transfer data and achieve fast charging speeds, you should embrace devices with a USB-C port. Because while USB-A has been the standard for years, it’s far behind USB-C in data transfer and charging speeds.

The USB-C system is ideal for establishing connections between devices. So if you’re an iPhone user and want to enjoy these benefits, get a USB-C-to-Lightning cable to supercharge your charging speeds.