#秋日生活打卡季#USB Type-C vs. USB 3.2: Clearing up the confusionUSB Type-C 与 USB 3.2：消除困惑Wondering how the USB Type-C and 3.2 standards affect transfer speeds and power modes? Here's a quick guide.想知道USB Type-C和3.2标准如何影响传输速度和电源模式？这是一个快速指南。

By Calvin Wankhede 卡尔文 万克赫德撰稿

The arrival of USB Type-C connectors and the final USB 3.2 standard have both heralded a new age of consumer convenience. However, there seems to be quite a bit of confusion about what these new standards mean, especially since we’ve progressed through USB 3.0, 3.1, and 3.2 without much fanfare. Moreover, many consumers are (rightfully) confused. What’s the difference between USB-C vs. USB 3.2? And do you need both for fast charging?

USB Type-C连接器的到来和最终的USB 3.2标准都预示着消费者便利的新时代。然而，对于这些新标准的含义似乎存在相当多的困惑，特别是因为我们已经在没有大张旗鼓的情况下通过USB 3.0，3.1和3.2取得了进展。此外，许多消费者（理所当然地）感到困惑。USB-C 和 USB 3.2 有什么区别？快速充电需要两者吗？

Given these questions, let’s take a closer look at USB technology in this article and decode what specifications you should really pay attention to.

鉴于这些问题，让我们在本文中仔细看看USB技术，并解码您应该真正关注的规格。

What is USB Type-C?什么是USB Type-C？

First, we should clarify that although they may often appear together, USB Type-C and USB 3.1 or 3.2 are not synonymous. You can have a modern USB Type-C port that supports slower 2.0 data transfer speeds, or an older USB Type-A port that supports faster USB 3-compliant speeds. Remember, the letter refers to the shape of the connector, while the number indicates how fast it is.

首先，我们应该澄清，尽管它们可能经常一起出现，但USB Type-C和USB 3.1或3.2并不是同义词。您可以使用支持较慢的 2.0 数据传输速度的现代 USB Type-C 端口，也可以拥有支持更快的 USB 3 兼容速度的旧 USB Type-A 端口。请记住，字母是指连接器的形状，而数字表示它的速度。

Transfer speeds aside, the USB Type-C standard has also added numerous power-related specifications over the years. This has allowed the humble connector to handle the needs of powerful devices like smartphones and laptops. We now have various Power Delivery (PD) profiles as well as the legacy USB Battery Charging (USB BC) specification.

除了传输速度之外，USB Type-C标准多年来还增加了许多与电源相关的规范。这使得不起眼的连接器能够处理智能手机和笔记本电脑等强大设备的需求。我们现在有各种供电 （PD） 配置文件以及传统的 USB 电池充电 （USB BC） 规范。

Type-C refers to the reversible connection type, while USB version numbers refer to the data transfer speeds.

Type-C 是指可正反两用连接类型，而 USB 版本号是指数据传输速度。

In a nutshell, the USB Power Delivery standard is a power management system that uses a bidirectional data channel to request certain levels of electrical power. This is to ensure compatibility with legacy devices and minimize the damage from non-compliant cables. USB-PD requires a Type-C connector but the standard is compatible across USB 2.0 and 3.2 products.

简而言之，USB供电标准是一种电源管理系统，它使用双向数据通道来请求一定水平的电力。这是为了确保与传统设备的兼容性，并最大限度地减少不合规电缆造成的损坏。USB-PD需要Type-C连接器，但该标准与USB 2.0和3.2产品兼容。

The following table should help explain how the different power standards compare to one another and their order of precedence.

下表应有助于说明不同的电源标准如何相互比较及其优先级顺序。

What’s the difference between USB 3.0, 3.1, and 3.2?USB 3.0、3.1 和 3.2 有什么区别？

So far, we’ve learned that simply using a USB Type-C connector doesn’t guarantee blazing-fast data transfer speeds. Many mid-range Android phones today, for example, ship with USB Type-C ports that only offer 2.0 transfer speeds.

到目前为止，我们已经了解到，仅使用USB Type-C连接器并不能保证超快的数据传输速度。例如，今天的许多中档Android手机都配备了USB Type-C端口，仅提供2.0传输速度。

Moving up to newer USB versions, however, there’s plenty of potential for confusion. That’s because the USB naming convention has been revised, renamed, and overhauled several times over the past decade. We’ve quickly progressed from USB 3.0 through 3.2, with each one sporting various sub-revisions as well. However, there’s a lot of confusion here as some aspects of USB 3.1 were renamed to USB 3.2.

然而，升级到较新的USB版本，有很多混淆的可能性。这是因为 USB 命名约定在过去十年中已经多次修订、重命名和大修。我们已经从USB 3.0快速发展到3.2，每个版本都有各种子修订版。但是，由于USB 3.1的某些方面已重命名为USB 3.2，因此这里存在很多混淆。

To make things clearer, here’s how the various base USB specifications compare:

为了使事情更清楚，以下是各种基本USB规格的比较：

USB 2.0 USB 2.0 接口

USB 3.0 (Deprecated) USB 3.0（已弃用）

USB 3.1 Gen 1 (Deprecated)

USB 3.1 第 1 代（已弃用）

USB 3.1 Gen 2 (Deprecated)

USB 3.1 Gen 2（已弃用）

USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Latest)USB 3.2 第 1 代（最新）

USB 3.2 Gen 2 (Latest)USB 3.2 第 2 代（最新）

Data Rate 数据速率

480 Mbps 480 Mbps

5 Gbps 5 千兆字节

5 Gbps 5 千兆字节

10 Gbps 10 千兆字节

5 Gbps 5 千兆字节

10 Gbps 10 千兆字节

Renamed to 重命名为

USB 3.1 Gen 1

USB 3.1 第 1 代

USB 3.2 Gen 1

USB 3.2 第 1 代

USB 3.2 Gen 2

USB 3.2 第 2 代

If you scrutinize the above table, you’ll quickly discover that USB 3.0, 3.1 Gen 1, and 3.2 Gen 1 all support the same transfer speeds of 5 Gbps. This is because the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) confusingly renamed USB 3.0 to USB 3.1 Gen 1 back in 2019. Then, with the release of the USB 3.2 spec, they once again renamed USB 3.1 Gen 1 to USB 3.2 Gen 1.

如果您仔细研究上表，您很快就会发现 USB 3.0、3.1 Gen 1 和 3.2 Gen 1 都支持 5 Gbps 的相同传输速度。这是因为 USB 实施者论坛 （USB-IF） 在 2019 年将 USB 3.0 重命名为 USB 3.1 Gen 1。然后，随着USB 3.2规范的发布，他们再次将USB 3.1 Gen 1重命名为USB 3.2 Gen 1。

Thankfully, there’s no functional difference between these standards. This means that if you buy a device that advertises USB 3.2 Gen 1 compatibility, it’ll work just fine with a USB 3.0 port. Many manufacturers still use the older USB 3.0/3.1 Gen 1 nomenclature, but they’re interchangeable with USB 3.2 Gen 1. Remember, the underlying data rate hasn’t changed between versions — only the name did.

值得庆幸的是，这些标准之间没有功能差异。这意味着，如果您购买宣传USB 3.2 Gen 1兼容性的设备，则可以与USB 3.0端口配合使用。许多制造商仍然使用较旧的USB 3.0/3.1 Gen 1命名法，但它们可以与USB 3.2 Gen 1互换。请记住，基础数据速率在版本之间没有变化 - 只有名称发生了变化。

USB 3.0, 3.1 Gen 1, and 3.2 Gen 1 all refer to the same thing: 5 Gbps transfer speeds.

USB 3.0、3.1 Gen 1 和 3.2 Gen 1 都指同一件事：5 Gbps 传输速度。

The USB-IF also renamed USB 3.1 Gen 2 to USB 3.2 Gen 2 around the same time. Once again, both refer to the same thing: transfer speeds of up to 10 Gbps. Moving on, we also have the USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 standard that offers data transfer speeds of up to 20 Gbps. That’s twice what you can get from USB 3.2 Gen 2. However, most manufacturers skipped it in favor of the newer USB 4 standard.

大约在同一时间，USB-IF还将USB 3.1 Gen 2重命名为USB 3.2 Gen 2。再一次，两者都指的是同一件事：传输速度高达10 Gbps。 继续看，我们还有USB 3.2 Gen 2×2标准，可提供高达20 Gbps的数据传输速度。这是您从USB 3.2 Gen 2获得的两倍。但是，大多数制造商跳过了它，转而使用较新的USB 4标准。

USB-C vs. USB 3.2: What you need to knowUSB-C 与 USB 3.2：您需要了解的内容

To summarize, USB specifications can vary in many ways, but the type of connector and its rated speed are the two factors you need to pay the most attention to. Additionally, the difference between USB-C vs USB 3.2 is simple: the former refers to the port shape and the latter tells you what to expect for file transfer speeds.

总而言之，USB规格可以在很多方面有所不同，但是连接器的类型及其额定速度是您最需要注意的两个因素。此外，USB-C 与 USB 3.2 之间的区别很简单：前者是指端口形状，后者告诉您文件传输速度的期望。

If your laptop or smartphone doesn’t support the latest and greatest USB version, there’s no point in splurging on an expensive high-speed accessory. For example, don’t overpay for a USB 3.2 Gen 2 SSD if your computer only goes up to USB 3.2 Gen 1 (or USB 3.1).

如果您的笔记本电脑或智能手机不支持最新和最好的USB版本，那么在昂贵的高速配件上挥霍是没有意义的。例如，如果您的计算机只能升级到 USB 3.2 Gen 1（或 USB 3.1），请不要为 USB 3.2 Gen 2 SSD 多付钱。

Transfer speeds depend on the slowest component in your chain. So connecting a USB 3.2 Gen 1 device to a USB 2.0 port will limit your speed all the way down to 480 Mbps. In reality, slower hardware components like hard drives can become limiting factors as well as non-compliant cables.

传输速度取决于链中最慢的组件。因此，将 USB 3.2 Gen 1 设备连接到 USB 2.0 端口会将您的速度一直限制在 480 Mbps。实际上，硬盘驱动器等较慢的硬件组件以及不合规的电缆可能会成为限制因素。

Are USB 3 and USB-C the same?USB 3和USB-C一样吗？

No. USB-C refers to the connector or port, while USB 3 refers to the data transfer speed. Some, but not all, USB-C ports support USB 3. You might also come across USB-C ports that can only handle USB 2 speeds.

不。USB-C 是指连接器或端口，而 USB 3 是指数据传输速度。部分（但不是全部）USB-C 端口支持 USB 3。您可能还会遇到只能处理 USB 2 速度的 USB-C 端口。

Can I connect USB-C to USB 3 port?我可以将USB-C 连接到 USB 3端口吗?

USB 3 refers to data transfer speed, not the size and shape of the port. USB-C specifically only refers to the reversible oval-shaped connector, which can also be wired for USB 2.0 speeds.

USB 3是指数据传输速度，而不是端口的大小和形状。USB-C特指可正反两用的椭圆形连接器，也可以连线以实现USB 2.0速度。

Is USB-C faster than USB 3 for charging?USB-C 充电比 USB 3快吗?

Not necessarily. USB 3 makes no difference to charging speeds. That’s handled by protocols like Power Delivery. If you compare USB-C vs. USB-A, then yes, the former is faster.

不一定。USB 3 对充电速度没有影响。这是由Power Delivery等协议处理的。如果您比较USB-C与USB-A，那么是的，前者更快。

From Android Authority