Answer:
USB Type-C, or USB-C, is a USB connector shape that both older and newer USB standards can adopt. This means that the USB 2.0 and USB 3.2 standards can all use the USB Type-C connector shape.
The new shape allows you to connect from either side, unlike other USB types such as USB-A and USB-B. USB-C can also support USB Power Delivery and DisplayPort Alternate Mode.
USB Standards
| Original Name | Old Name | New Name | Marketing Name |
| USB 3.2 | N/A | USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 | SuperSpeed USB 20Gbps |
| USB 3.1 | USB 3.1 Gen 2 | USB 3.2 Gen 2 | SuperSpeed USB 10Gbps |
| USB 3.0 | USB 3.1 Gen 1 | USB 3.2 Gen 1 | SuperSpeed USB 5Gbps |
| USB 2.0 | N/A | N/A | HighSpeed 480 Mbps |
Initially, when USB 3.1 was introduced, USB-IF (USB Implementers Forum) changed the name of USB 3.0 to USB 3.1 Gen 1 while the new ‘USB 3.1’ was dubbed USB 3.1 Gen 2.
In March 2019, USB-IF announced USB 3.2 and again changed the naming structure. USB 3.0 is now USB 3.2 Gen 1, USB 3.1 is USB 3.2 Gen 2, and USB 3.2 is USB 3.2 Gen 2×2.
Note that only the USB-C connector can use the USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 standard.
USB-C: DisplayPort Alternate Mode & Power Delivery
USB-C can transfer audio/video signals if your device supports DisplayPort Alternate Mode.
Additionally, it can charge a device if it supports USB PD (Power Delivery) with up to 100W (depending on the device).
We have a dedicated guide with the best USB-C monitors with power delivery ranging from 60W up to 95W.
Thunderbolt 3 & USB4
Thunderbolt 3 controller shares the same connector type as USB-C but offers up to 40Gbps of data transfer (with short active cables) or 20Gbps (with long passive cables). It also supports DisplayPort Alternate Mode and Power Delivery up to 100W.
USB-IF also announced the ‘USB4’ specification, which is based on the Thunderbolt protocol. Just like Thunderbolt 3, it uses the USB-C connector, has data transfer speed up to 40Gbps, and it will support display interface and power delivery. Further, it is backward-compatible with USB 2.0, USB 3.2, and Thunderbolt 3.
However, unlike Thunderbolt 3, USB4 will be royalty-free, so it will be more widespread and affordable than the Thunderbolt 3 devices.
Micro USB vs. USB-C
Both USB-A and USB-B connectors are quite big, which was an issue for devices such as slim smartphones, console controllers, digital cameras, and so on.
This led to the creation of other shapes of the USB connector, such as micro-USB and mini-USB.
As you can see in the picture below, a USB-C connector looks like micro-USB, though it is more round, and more importantly, it can plug in the device facing either way.
Since USB-C is backward compatible, you can still connect your micro-USB and other USB devices to the USB-C port by using a proper adapter.
