Many think that mini and micro USBs are the same. Though they sound similar, there's a reason why they're called mini and micro. While mini was introduced in the year 2000, micro USB was introduced in 2007, featuring all the drawbacks mini had.
That made micro USB widely popular, and to date, multiple versions of micro have rolled out, making its functionality better with each release. However, let's take a closer look at the core differences between mini and micro USB connectors here.
If you're someone who is confused about the two, then this is for you. Read on to know more about the two types of connectors.
Is Micro USB and Mini USB the Same?
No, they are not the same. Though the USB cables look alike, micro and mini USB are entirely different. You can find a huge difference between the two in terms of their functionality, usage, and ports.
Remember the time when you had to go hunting for that specific charging cable for your mobile phone? Well, the Micro USB solved that issue, and now you can use any cable to charge your device. It's universal, and the hassle of using one charging cable is not there anymore.
Micro USB is the successor of mini USB and is a widely used USB cable in the market. Micro has features that mini lacked and is compact in its design too. We'll be seeing more about this below.
How to Differentiate Between Micro and Mini USB?
The major difference between the two is efficiency. Micro USB is one step ahead of the mini USB. Compared to the standard USB, mini is the smaller version of it, and micro is the smaller mini version.
Mini is largely used to store and transfer data, but you can charge devices with micro. When it comes to durability, micro usb again tops the list. It's extremely durable and mobile-friendly too. If you see the charging cables used on mobile phones today, they are mainly micro ones.
You can charge and connect to devices using the same cable, and that's what makes micro USB's the best right now. The lifecycle of micro is twice that of mini; 10000 cycles over 5000 of mini usb. Given the smaller micro cables' size, the transfer rate is the highest, and you cannot go wrong with this.
Due to all these features of micro USB cables, companies are adopting this new technology and gradually making the shift.
Is Mini USB Still Used?
Though mini USB connectors were introduced in 2000, in 2007, they were deprecated. They did not support OTG features and did not have a sleek design. The transfer speed was slow and was used in smaller devices such as smartphones and cameras.
It's safe to say that the micro connector came at the right time with tons of advanced features with evolving technology. Moreover, mini connectors are not compatible with all the gadgets and come with their own set of drawbacks.
Micro USB Types
Micro USB comes in various types with slightly varying functions. Though they are designed for the same purpose, it's better to know the types if you're planning to buy one.
1. Micro-A USB Micro-B USB
Micro A is a female-only connector, but micro B is both female and male connector, and both are smaller in size than mini. It is mainly used in digital cameras and mobile phones and has a high data transfer rate of up to 480 Mbps.
While the mini A connector does not support on-the-go features, micro A does it perfectly. Micro B has a black receptacle, while micro A has a white receptacle, but they both have a five-pin design.
2. Micro B USB 3.0
With every new version rolling out, the functionality of the USBs gets better. Micro B USB 3.0 is the next major version with a higher transfer rate of 625 Mbps and is mainly used in electronic devices and computers.
It is superfast and increased bandwidth. It has a wide array of improved features making it better than the rest of the USBs. It's full-duplex, making it backward compatible, and has features that usb 2.0 doesn't have. It provides 5 volts of power at the least, and the succeeding versions of this are USB 3.1 and USB 3.2.
3. Micro AB USB
One way to identify this type of USB is by looking at the color. Micro AB usually has a graycolor and can accommodate both micro A and B. It has the same features that are high transfer speed and small size. With this, the performance is high, and the cycle is higher too.
Micro USB and Type-C USB
You might have heard about type-c connectors lately. It's slowly gaining popularity due to its features. One of the best features of type-c USB is you can plug in either side up, unlike micro ones.
The charging speed is faster and is up to 10 Gbps. Type C connectors can be used on any device such as a camera, HDMI, and smartphones. Lately, type-c is being used by top mobile brands due to its increased performance and improved functionality.
Though type c connectors are slightly in the higher price range, it is believed to replace micro connectors gradually in the long run. It is highly durable and compatible, making it one of the best USB connectors in the market at present.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know the differences between the two, how to choose the best USB cable?
Always go for the one with a high transfer rate and ensure it supports both data transfer and charging.
Note the device you want for the connector and the specs to ensure you get the right one for your device. It's easy to get confused between the different types, but it only takes a little understanding about what each can do best for your device. Compare the specifications of the cable and ensure it meets your requirements before buying one for your device.
