Answer:
USB Type-C, commonly known as USB-C, refers to the connector shape rather than the USB standard itself. This means that different USB standards, including USB 2.0 and USB 3.2, can use the same USB-C connector.
The reversible design allows you to plug the cable in either direction, unlike older USB connectors such as USB-A and USB-B. USB-C also supports features like 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.
Only the USB-C connector can use the USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 standard.
USB-IF updated the logos to make it a bit easier to identify the maximum supported speed of each port.
USB-C: DisplayPort Alternate Mode & Power Delivery
USB-C can transfer audio/video signals if it and your device support DisplayPort Alternate Mode.
Additionally, it can charge compatible devices via USB Power Delivery (USB PD), with the maximum charging power depending on the port’s capabilities and the connected device.
We have a dedicated USB-C monitor list featuring displays that support DisplayPort Alt Mode and USB Power Delivery (USB PD) with charging capabilities ranging from at least 45W to over 100W.
Thunderbolt & 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 has the USB4 specification, which is based on the Thunderbolt protocol. Just like Thunderbolt 3, it uses the USB-C connector, has a data transfer speed of up to 40Gbps, and supports 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 is royalty-free, so in time, it should be more widespread and affordable than Thunderbolt 3 devices.
Thunderbolt 4 improves upon the previous version by increasing the minimum PCIe data to 32Gbps from 16Gbps, adding improved security and the ability to wake a PC from sleep via peripherals connected to a dock.
USB4 Version 2.0 bumps up the speed to 80Gbps when using proper active cables. It also brings support for the latest versions of DisplayPort and PCIe, as well as USB 3.2 data tunneling over 20 Gbps.
Next, there is Thunderbolt 5 with up to 120Gbps bandwidth for cables 2 meters or shorter. This brings support for dual 4K 144Hz monitors, dual 8K 60Hz displays, and refresh rates up to 540Hz.
Other supported features include a PCIe 4.0 connection, up to 240W Power Delivery, up to three DisplayPort 2.1 streams and backward compatibility with TB4, TB3, USB4 and USB3.
USB-C 2.1 with Extended Power Range
The new USB-C 2.1 revision brings support for USB Power Delivery 3.1 (48V and 5A), resulting in a maximum of 240W power charging when using EPR (Extended Power Range) cables.
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 a micro-USB, though it is more round and it can plug into the device facing either way.
Since USB-C is backward compatible, you can still connect your micro-USB and other USB devices to a USB-C port by using a proper adapter.
