USB-A and USB-C are two different connector shapes. USB-A is the older, flat, rectangular one – it plugs in one way only. USB-C is smaller, oval and reversible, so orientation doesn't matter. There are two main practical differences: charging power and data transfer speed. With USB-A, phone fast charging in practice typically delivers around 18 W, which is enough for a phone, earbuds or a smartwatch. Thanks to the USB Power Delivery standard, USB-C can handle up to 240 W according to USB-IF and will charge even a powerful laptop. In terms of data, USB-A tops out at 10 Gbps, while USB-C offers up to 40 Gbps (USB4), up to 80 Gbps in the latest version, and can also carry video. Recommendation: for a modern phone, tablet or laptop, choose a USB-C cable and pick its parameters (power and data speed) according to your device – for a laptop, a cable supporting at least 100 W Power Delivery; for a phone, 60 W is usually enough.
What is USB-A?
USB-A is the classic rectangular connector you know from older chargers, computers, power banks, TVs or cars. It plugs in one way only and is used mainly with older adapters and accessories. In practice, it is suitable mainly for basic charging of smaller electronics – earbuds, smartwatches, speakers or older phones. With USB-A chargers you will often see power of up to about 18 W, but this is not a hard limit of the connector itself; the resulting power always depends on the charger, the cable, the device and the supported protocol.
What is USB-C?
USB-C is a modern, smaller and reversible connector that plugs in either way. You will find it on new phones, tablets, laptops, power banks, monitors and chargers. USB-IF describes it as a connector designed for thin devices, yet robust enough for laptops and tablets, with support for scalable power and data transfer. USB-C is the better choice for most modern devices today: it enables fast charging, fast data transfer and monitor connection. However, USB-C by itself does not mean the fastest charging or the fastest data – it is always the specific cable, charger and device that decide.
Is USB-C always faster than USB-A? (connector ≠ standard)
In most cases, yes – modern devices and cables with USB-C usually support higher transfer speeds and higher power than older USB-A. But it does not apply automatically, because the connector shape itself does not determine speed. USB-A and USB-C are just physical connectors, while data speed is determined by the cable's data specification (USB 2.0, USB 5Gbps, USB4, etc.). One USB-C cable may internally carry only 480 Mbps (USB 2.0), while another, visually identical one can handle 40 Gbps. USB-IF therefore recommends clearly separating data speed from connector type on products; "USB-C" thus does not automatically mean the fastest data or the fastest charging.
How much charging power can USB-A and USB-C handle?
USB-A does not support the USB Power Delivery standard, so its power is limited. A typical USB-A port delivers 5–12 W; with phone fast charging it often sits around 18 W – enough for a phone or small electronics. USB-C uses USB Power Delivery (PD) – a standard that negotiates the optimal voltage and current between the charger and the device. According to USB-IF, the USB PD 3.1 revision extended the earlier 100 W ceiling up to 240 W and added voltage levels for 140 W, 180 W and 240 W. The specific ceiling, however, is determined by the cable: for more than 60 W, the cable must contain an e-marker chip that electronically reports its power rating; without it, charging stops at 60 W.
| Type / standard | Voltage × current | Power | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| USB-A (standard port) | 5 V × 1–2.4 A | 5–12 W | phone, earbuds |
| USB-A + Quick Charge | variable | often up to 18 W | faster phone charging |
| USB-C without PD | 5 V × 3 A | 15 W | phone, small electronics |
| USB-C PD | 20 V × 3 A | 60 W | phone, tablet, lighter laptop |
| USB-C PD (e-marker) | 20 V × 5 A | 100 W | powerful laptop |
| USB-C PD EPR (e-marker) | 48 V × 5 A | 240 W | gaming laptop, workstation |
Can I charge a laptop and connect a monitor with a single USB-C cable?
Yes, as long as the port, the cable and the monitor support it. On modern laptops, a single USB-C port serves for charging, data transfer and display connection at the same time. A typical example is a monitor with USB-C: you connect the laptop with a single cable, the monitor carries video and data and powers the laptop at the same time. Video is carried using DisplayPort Alt Mode (DP Alt Mode) – a feature that, according to VESA, allows the USB-C connector to combine video, data and power in one cable. The condition is that both the device's USB-C port and the cable itself support this feature; an ordinary charging cable will not carry video, and USB-A does not support this mode at all.
What cable does a wireless charger or a docking station need?
The cable often does not charge the phone directly, but serves as the power feed for an accessory that does the charging itself – a wireless charger, dock, hub or a power bank's input. Power matters here too: if you do not feed enough energy into a wireless charger, it will not reach its full output. A certified Qi2 charger (15 W) needs a USB-C PD adapter of at least 20 W for full output; the newer Qi2 25W (Qi2.2) needs 30 W or more (for more powerful and combined 3-in-1 chargers, preferably 35–45 W); a weak USB-A adapter can easily pull wireless charging down to just 7.5 W. You do not need to worry about data speed for this connection – what matters is sufficient power of both the cable and the adapter, so choose a USB-C cable and adapter with a power reserve.
What data speeds can USB-A and USB-C handle?
USB-A tops out at 10 Gbps – it physically cannot go any faster. USB-C shares the lower standards with USB-A (from 480 Mbps to 10 Gbps), but it is the only one that also handles 20 Gbps, 40 Gbps and, in the latest version, 80 Gbps. USB-IF now recommends consumer labeling by speed (USB 5Gbps, USB 10Gbps, USB 20Gbps, USB 40Gbps, USB 80Gbps). For transferring large files, working with an external SSD or connecting a monitor, choose a cable with a higher data standard.
| Designation (USB-IF) | Former name | Speed | Connector |
|---|---|---|---|
| USB 2.0 | USB 2.0 | 480 Mbps | USB-A and USB-C |
| USB 5Gbps | USB 3.2 Gen 1 | 5 Gbps | USB-A and USB-C |
| USB 10Gbps | USB 3.2 Gen 2 | 10 Gbps | USB-A and USB-C |
| USB 20Gbps | USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 | 20 Gbps | USB-C only |
| USB 40Gbps | USB4 | 40 Gbps | USB-C only |
| USB 80Gbps | USB4 (latest version) | 80 Gbps | USB-C only |
For the most demanding uses there is also Thunderbolt (likewise on the USB-C connector): Thunderbolt 4 offers 40 Gbps and Thunderbolt 5 up to 120 Gbps.
Do new devices have to have USB-C? (the EU and the common charger)
Yes. Under EU Directive 2022/2380 (the so-called common charger directive), from 28 December 2024 mobile phones, tablets, headphones, speakers, e-readers, keyboards, mice, digital cameras and other small electronics sold in the EU must be equipped with a USB-C connector. For laptops, this obligation applies from 28 April 2026. Devices must have a USB-C receptacle conforming to the EN IEC 62680-1-3:2022 standard, and the packaging must carry a pictogram with information about the charging power and about whether a charger is included in the box. USB-C is thus clearly the direction the EU market is heading.
How to choose the right cable?
When choosing, do not just look at whether the cable has a USB-A or USB-C connector. Three things are key: the connector, the power and the data speed.
- Choose the right connector. For an older charger with a USB-A port, you need a USB-A to USB-C cable (or another combination depending on your device). For a modern charger with a USB-C port, choose a USB-C to USB-C cable.
- Watch the power rating in watts. For a phone, 20–30 W is usually enough; for a tablet, 30 W and up; for a laptop, 60 W, 100 W, 140 W or more. You will only make use of 240 W with a compatible charger and device. A cable above 60 W should have an e-marker.
- Distinguish between a charging and a data cable. For simply charging a phone, you do not need to worry about the highest data speed. For a monitor, a docking station or a fast external drive, choose according to the data specification and video transfer support.
Remember that power and speed always adapt to the weakest link in the chain: a 100 W charger with a 60 W cable will only charge at 60 W.
Quick comparison: USB-A vs USB-C
| Feature | USB-A | USB-C |
|---|---|---|
| Connector shape | larger, rectangular | smaller, modern |
| Plug orientation | one way only | reversible |
| Typical use | older chargers, PCs, cars, power banks | phones, tablets, laptops, monitors, docks |
| Charging power | with phone fast charging, often up to 18 W | typically 20–100 W, up to 240 W via USB PD |
| Laptop charging | unsuitable for modern laptops | suitable (with adequate power) |
| Data transfer | max 10 Gbps | up to 80 Gbps (depending on specification) |
| Video transfer | usually no | yes, if supported by both the cable and the device |
| Future outlook | mostly older devices | the modern standard for new devices |
Frequently asked questions
Is USB-C always faster than USB-A?
In most cases USB-C is faster, because newer devices and cables with USB-C usually support higher speeds. But it is the specific cable, charger and device that decide, not the connector shape – a visually identical USB-C cable can carry 480 Mbps or 40 Gbps.
Will USB-A charge a phone quickly?
Yes, some USB-A chargers offer fast charging, but in practice it often stays around 18 W. Thanks to USB Power Delivery, USB-C handles significantly higher power – for example, iPhones charge over USB-C at roughly 20–30 W depending on the model (iPhone 15 and 16), and the latest iPhone 17 Pro at up to 40 W. Many Android phones can do even more over USB-C, easily 65 W or more.
How do I know a cable supports 100 W?
The cable must be rated for 5 A and contain an e-marker chip; the description usually says "100 W" or "5 A". Cables without this designation usually handle only 3 A, i.e. a maximum of 60 W.
Why does my 100 W charger only charge at 60 W?
The most common cause is a cable limited to 3 A without an e-marker, which caps the power at 60 W. But the cause can also be the device itself, which negotiates a lower charging power than the charger offers – power always adapts to the weakest link in the chain (the charger, the cable and the device).
Can every USB-C cable carry video?
No. Video transfer must be supported by the cable, the device and the monitor. With USB-C, DisplayPort Alt Mode is used for video; an ordinary charging cable will not carry video.
What adapter does a Qi2 wireless charger need?
For its full 15 W output, a Qi2 charger needs a USB-C PD adapter of at least 20 W. For the newer Qi2 25W (Qi2.2) we recommend an adapter of 35 W or more, and for combined 3-in-1 chargers up to 45 W, so that the power source has enough headroom. With a weak adapter or over USB-A, the wireless charging speed will drop.
Can I connect a USB-C device to a USB-A port?
Yes, using a USB-A to USB-C cable or an adapter. However, data transfer and charging will be limited to what USB-A can do – roughly up to 18 W and 10 Gbps, with no video transfer.
Conclusion
USB-A and USB-C are different connectors, but what really matters lies in their capabilities: USB-C offers higher power (up to 240 W), faster data (up to 80 Gbps) and video transfer over a single cable. When choosing a cable, go by your specific use case – which device you need to charge and how fast, and what data you need to transfer – and always check the stated power and data standard. For charging a laptop, choose a USB-C Power Delivery cable rated 100 W or more; for a phone, 60 W is usually enough; and for data transfer or connecting a monitor, a cable with the appropriate data standard.
You will find the Mobile Origin range of USB-C cables with clearly stated power and data speed in the cables category (CB series).
Glossary of terms
USB Power Delivery (USB PD) – a charging standard that negotiates the optimal voltage and current between the charger and the device; it enables power of up to 240 W.
EPR (Extended Power Range) – an extension of USB PD for power above 100 W, up to 240 W (48 V × 5 A).
E-marker – a chip inside a USB-C cable that reports its maximum power rating to the device; mandatory for cables above 3 A / 60 W.
DisplayPort Alt Mode (DP Alt Mode) – a mode that allows the USB-C connector to carry a video signal in addition to data and power.
Quick Charge – a fast-charging technology from Qualcomm, often used over the USB-A connector.
Qi2 / Qi2 25W (Qi2.2) – wireless (magnetic) charging standards; Qi2 up to 15 W, Qi2 25W (Qi2.2) up to 25 W.
Thunderbolt – a high-speed interface on the USB-C connector; Thunderbolt 4 = 40 Gbps, Thunderbolt 5 = up to 120 Gbps.
USB-IF (USB Implementers Forum) – the organization that develops and certifies USB standards and labeling.
VESA – the organization standardizing display interfaces, including DisplayPort.