USB-C and the Standardization Mandate: A Look at Charging Cables, Ports, and Storage Drives.

If you are in the market for a new iPhone, or other portable device, be aware that you should be shopping for devices that have USB-C ports and cable connectors for the optimal longevity of your device, at least where charging is concerned. USB-C is now the standard for new portable devices, and this may also mean you need to add new USB cables to your stash as well.

The 2024 European Union mandate for the adoption of USB-C ports on every portable device will go into effect this year for mobile phones, tablets, e-readers, digital cameras, video game consoles, headphones, earbuds, portable speakers, mice, keyboards, and navigation systems. In 2026, this will also include all laptops. Additionally, in many cases, the USB-C cables will not be included in the purchase of your device; you will need to purchase the cable and power brick separately or use one you may already own.

This EU ruling is now driving policy for all countries in the name of eliminating e-waste. The idea behind the mandate is that a standard port and companion connector for all devices will eliminate the need for multiple charging cables since the same cable will fit multiple devices. Because it will not be cost effective for companies like Apple, Dell, HP, Samsung, and Sony to manufacture a separate European version and a device for other countries with different connectors, ports, and cables, these companies will start producing devices that adhere to the mandates for everyone, not just the EU. But it seems this will hit Apple users the hardest because Apple has used its proprietary Lightning USB for its devices for some time. One of benefits of Lightning being that one end is a male connector and doesn’t collect dirt and debris inside like USB-C can.

USB-C was chosen as the standard because it is the best tech available with regards to Universal Serial Bus, but not exclusive to Apple devices like Lightning USB. USB-A ports are not a good option for most portable devices as they are too big. Most phones are too thin to support the width of a USB-A port. Also, USB-C has the benefit of being flipped so you can plug it in either way, unlike USB-A or any of the USB-B connectors. When optimized USB-C is faster, meaning when utilized to the best of the inner processor and software speeds it can transmit data or charge at the fastest rates.

It is important to note that the USB-C mandate only refers to the charging port on the mobile device, not the version of USB that directs transfer speed. You could still have a cable that fits the USB-C connector requirement but only yields USB 1.1 or 2.0, which do not have the fastest bandwidth speeds or signaling rates. It also means that airport charging stations, hotel wall plates, and other charging places built into infrastructure can remain USB-A. This will require yet another cable that is USB-C to USB-A, not the USB-C to USB-C that will likely come with most devices to increase the charging speed. USB-A cannot currently support the faster transfer speeds for data or power. Be sure when purchasing cables to research your data transfer and power needs before purchasing. Weigh that need with the cost of the cable.

There are three areas that USB encompasses that do not necessary correspond to the same elements.

There is USB ports, USB processing or speed, and USB cables representing different tech and different utilizations under the same naming umbrella which can be confusing. Add to that the various connectors that have been used in devices over the history of universal serial bus usage like USB-B, USB-B mini, USB- micro, and Lightning and this can become a confusing subject when shopping for products.

But what does this mandate and development mean for USB-A type storage drives that are as ubiquitous as the cell phones and laptops that are having to change? It could mean a lot if you use flash drives often for transferring data or for backups. If you have access and use the cloud for your storage and backups, it may not affect you as much. If you are dependent on USB-A for file storage, backups, or transfer, you may need to invest in a dongle or an adaptor.

If manufacturers continue putting USB-A ports as well as the mandated USB-C ports on devices, you should be fine continuing to use your USB-A flash drives. This is especially important as the cost for USB-A drives is significantly cheaper than USB-C drives of the same storage size. As time goes on, it is foreseeable that the use of USB-A, despite the copious amounts of hardware out there in the wild, will eventually become extinct, like the floppy disk. Perhaps they already are. Check out the YouTube Channels where you can watch tech influencers buying old USB drives off eBay and seeing what has been left behind like an Easter egg hunt or an anthropological study of humans in the late 20th century.

When purchasing new devices, look for USB-C in your ports, cables, and capabilities. Know what you need as far as speed, connection, and back up and do your research beforehand. And plan for the future of using USB-C and beyond.