What is USB 3.0?

To be more precise, it can transmit data 10 times faster than the older version of USB2.0 from between computer and external devices, which is equivalent to an optimum rate of 5 Gigabits per second!

USB 3.0 Connectors

USB Type-A 

USB 3.0 Type-A, the same as the plug at the end of a flash drive, is a rectangular USB connector. USB 3.0 Type-A is compatible with both USB 2.0 and USB 1.1 connections.

USB Type B

USB 3.0 Type-B, usually applied in printers and other large devices, is a square USB connector with a large notch. The USB 3.0 Type-B plug can only be used in a USB 3.0 Type-B port, but previous plugs are all suited for the USB 3.0 Type-B port.

USB Micro-A

USB 3.0 Micro-A, found on many similar portable devices, is divided into two rectangular plugs. The USB 3.0 Micro-A plug only supports the USB 3.0 Micro-AB ports, but previous USB 2.0 Micro-A plugs are compatible with USB 3.0 Micro-AB receptacles.

USB Micro-B

USB 3.0 Micro-B connector, similar to Micro-A connector, also has two rectangular sections. The USB 3.0 Micro-B plug is only compatible with USB 3.0 Micro-B and USB 3.0 Micro-AB ports, and previous USB 2.0 Micro-B plugs are also available for both USB 3.0 Micro-B and USB 3.0 Micro-AB receptacles.

USB 2.0 vs USB 3.0

This paper lists some differences between USB 2.0 and USB 3.0.

1. Appearance: The internal port of USB 2.0 is black or grey, while that of USB 3.0 is blue.
2. Transfer speed: USB 2.0 can transfer files at a speed of 35.4 Mbps. USB 3.0 only takes roughly 87 seconds to transfer the same data. That means USB 3.0 is ten times faster than USB 2.0 in transferring files.
3. Wires in the cable: There are four wires in the cable of USB 2.0, and 9 in USB 3.0.
4. Maximum cable length: USB 2.0 cable can reach 5 meters, but USB 3.0 cable is only 3 meters.
5. Power management: The USB 2.0 only has a power supply of 0.5 A, while USB 3.0 has 0.9 A.
6. Bandwidth: There is only one data path in USB 2.0, so data can only be transferred and received through the same path. While USB 3.0 has two independent paths, one for transferring data and the other for collecting data, which allows uploading and downloading files at the same time.

More Information

In a nutshell, Universal Standard Bus will keep on improving, and better versions of USB will be created as right now USB 3.0 is still one of the best except comparing to USB 4.0. Besides, it is a more compatible, faster, and better Universal Standard Bus compared to USB2.0 and older versions of USB. With the passing of time, there will be better and faster versions of the USB like USB 5.0, USB 6.0, and more to be created!