USB Type-C, a misleading feature that shouldn't confuse you

I recently got to talk to friends who tell me that the next phone they will buy will be a USB Type-C smartphone. Well, it is an option to take into account, it is a novel feature, but the truth is that it is also being a feature that some manufacturers are using in a deceptive way, and with which you should not be confused.

USB Type-C

First of all, we should not confuse USB Type-C with next-generation USB. That is to say, the great novelty will be the USB Type-C that will already integrate the new generation of USB technology and that, therefore, will have improved characteristics such as a higher transfer speed, a higher charging speed, etc. Almost all the mobiles that nowadays have USB Type-C, they only do it in the interface, in what is seen. In other words, the cable is just as useful as a standard microUSB cable, except that it looks different.

Well, it is not the only different, there is an advantage, and several disadvantages. The great advantage is that it is reversible, no matter which way you plug it in. But that's the only advantage. The charging speed is not higher for being a USB Type-C. It would be if it really were a new generation USB, which will arrive, but not simply because it is USB Type-C. However, there are drawbacks to these USB Type-Cs. The first comes from believing that they really have a different utility than microUSBs. Just making the mistake of thinking like this is already an inconvenience, because manufacturers use something that is not real to promote their smartphones. Second, the move to USB Type-C can make us lose interesting features. That is why Samsung would have given up on integrating it into the Samsung Galaxy S7. A great decision. If it is not going to be an improvement, and it is going to lead to giving up features that you already have, such as fast charging, it is better to avoid it, and not install it just for a marketing issue.

Lastly, there is the factor of no longer being able to use all those cables and adapters that we have microUSB. And even more so when it seems that not all USB Type-C cables seem to be built correctly to work with smartphones. Right now, giving USB Type-C relevant doesn't seem the most relevant. Samsung hasn't done it with the new Samsung Galaxy S7, and it shouldn't be a priority when choosing a smartphone. At least not yet.