Asked by: Lleir Felimino
travel travel accessories

What is the difference between micro USB and Lightning?

Last Updated: 26th January, 2020

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On the opposing side, Micro-USB is a standardized model that works on countless devices but it does not have the transfer power of the Lightning connector (in terms of charging the battery of the device) and because it only has 5 pins, in theory, it cannot transport the same amount of data as the Apple connector.

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Also to know is, is lightning better than micro USB?

Lightning cables are capable of pushing at least 12W, while micro USB is limited to 9W due to the 1.8A at 5V maximum power rating. Check out Pocketable's in-depth analysis of why Lightning cables can charge faster and provide more power than the flimsy and limited micro USB.

One may also ask, what does a micro USB look like? The micro USB is also smaller at around 6.85 x 1.8 mm and is shaped differently with a rounded top and a flat bottom. It is more durable with 10,000 connect-disconnect cycles and provides faster transfer rates at around 480 megabits per second.

Moreover, what is Micro USB used for?

Micro USB is a miniaturized version of the Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface developed for connecting compact and mobile devices such as smartphones, MP3 players, GPS devices, photo printers and digital cameras. Micro USB connectors exist or have existed in three forms: micro A, micro B and micro USB 3.

What does lightning cable mean?

The Lightning connector is a small connector on Apple's mobile devices (and even some accessories) that charges and connects the devices to computers and charging bricks. The cable itself is small with a thin Lightning adapter on one side and a standard USB-A adapter on the other.

Related Question Answers

Aramis Capoo

Professional

Does iPhone use micro USB?

The Lightning to Micro USB Adapter lets you connect an iPhone, iPad, or iPod with Lightning connector to micro USB cables and chargers to sync and charge your device.

Elixane Ahannach

Professional

Which is better micro USB or Type C?

The micro USB contains hooks on one side and can only be entered into a device in a specific way. The type C is slightly bigger in size and doesn't have any hooks on its sides. Type C takes advantage of USB 3.2, 3.1 and 3.0 allowing you to transfer data at speeds of 5 to 20Gbps.

Abbie Kennel

Professional

What is Lightning to USB cable mean?

Lightning (connector) Introduced on September 12, 2012, to replace its predecessor, the 30-pin dock connector, the Lightning connector is used to connect Apple mobile devices like iPhones, iPads, and iPods to host computers, external monitors, cameras, USB battery chargers, and other peripherals.

Platon Sabe

Explainer

What are the different types of micro USB?

Types of Micro USB Cables. Micro USB is the smallest form-factor USB connection type. There are two connection types and a USB 3.0 variation of both within the Micro USB standard. USB Micro-A and USB Micro-B are physically not interchangeable and the cable needs to match the connected device's connection type.

Mozelle Gistas

Explainer

What is Micro USB charging?

A micro-USB is a miniature USB, and most likely (if you have an Android phone at least),you have one at the end of your smartphone or tablet charging cord. This is the piece that plugs into the micro-USB port on your smartphone or tablet.

Yeni Megino

Explainer

Is lightning cable micro USB?

Sadly, there is confusion, and while there are standards, we still have 3 competing types, micro-USB for Android devices, lightning for Apple devices and the latest USB, type-C which provides even more convenient charging methods and functionality.

Izamar Manzanet

Pundit

What is a micro B connector?

The USB 3.0 Micro B connector is found on USB 3.0 devices. This connector is designed to carry data and power in USB SuperSpeed applications. Cables with this connector are not backwards compatible with USB 2.0 or USB 1.1 devices.

Romuald Ceceaga

Pundit

Is micro USB the same as USB B?

Micro USB. The very small USB port found on many non-Apple cellphones, tablets and other portable devices is a Micro USB socket. Considerably smaller than USB Type A and B, Micro USB is also half the thickness of Mini USB (see illustration below). Micro USB has been superseded by USB Type C on many new products.

Brittney Holodnykh

Pundit

How many types of USB connectors are there?

Here are the six most common types of USB cables and connectors:
  • Type-A: The standard flat, rectangular interface that you find on one end of nearly every USB cable.
  • Type-B: An almost square connector, mostly used for printers and other powered devices that connect to a computer.

Arwen Oppitz

Pundit

What is USB A and B?

USB A-Type: This is the standard rectangular female port found on computers and other devices. USB B-Type: Most USB 2.0 printer cables, scanner cables and some external hard drive cables are B-type connectors. They are small and square. USB C-Type: These are the newest USB connectors on the market.

Jinxing Truchado

Pundit

What type of USB do I have?

Use the Device Manager to determine if your computer has USB 1.1, 2.0, or 3.0 ports: Open the Device Manager. In the "Device Manager" window, click the + (plus sign) next to Universal Serial Bus controllers. You will see a list of the USB ports installed on your computer.

Noris Porkert

Teacher

What is the difference between USB Type A and Type C?

USB Type-C and USB 3.1 are backward compatible with USB 3.0 and 2.0. In a pure Type-C USB connection, Type-A ports and plugs are no longer included, but for compatibility, there is a Type A to Type C cable. There are also adapters to allow Type C hosts and devices to work with existing USB devices.

Diedre Inghels

Teacher

Why is micro USB bad?

The biggest problems regarding USB device durability are: USB cables going bad. Male USB connectors wearing. This is more of a problem for micro connectors - if the connector itself wears, there isn't as much friction holding it in to the port, so it pops out.

Arshad

Teacher

What is the difference between USB A and USB C?

Even faster charging
Currently, a standard USB 2.0 connection offers up to 2.5W of power (which is just about enough to charge your phone at a snail's pace), while the USB PD standard supported by USB-C can deliver a massive 100W of power, which is more than enough to charge a laptop.

Germinal Barella

Teacher

How do you tell if a micro USB is a data cable?

The D+/D- lines are the middle two pins of a USB connector. Just select one on one side of the cable, and test continuity to both of the middle pins on the other side. You will see no continuity or a high/"infinite" resistance on your meter if the cable is missing data wires and is a "charge only cable".

Domnica Uhobotin

Reviewer

What phones use USB C?

  • USB Type-C is taking over. In years past, phones charged and transferred files through a Micro-USB port and cable.
  • The Galaxy S10E, S10, S10 Plus and the S10 5G.
  • Google Pixel 3A XL and Pixel 3A.
  • Samsung Galaxy Fold.
  • The Motorola Moto G7, G7 Power and G7 Play.
  • OnePlus 7 Pro.
  • LG G8 ThinQ.
  • Huawei P30 and P30 Pro.

Chris Betzgen

Reviewer

What type of USB is Android?

Android smartphones have used the USB Micro-B connector for both data transfer and charging almost exclusively since their introduction in 2008. Android tablets also use Micro USB but often have a separate port for their own power adapter.

Adoralina Pichaco

Reviewer

Which phones use Micro USB?

Here are five Android phones in every price bracket that are worthy purchases and still sport the good ol' port.
  • Samsung Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge.
  • Motorola Moto G5 Plus.
  • Samsung Galaxy J7 2016.
  • Huawei Honor 6X.
  • Sony Xperia X.

Leeann Heink

Supporter

Are all micro USB ports the same?

Well, sadly not all micro USB's are the same. It has a micro USB port but the charger won't plug into my other micro USB devices. Micro USB data cables however seem to be more or less universal. It's the power cables that are a PITA.

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26th January, 2020

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