These two connector types are visually distinct, but looks aren't their only differences. USB-A (officially USB Type-A) is one of the two original connectors defined in the USB 1 standard. It uses a rectangular connector with all its pins on one side, so it will only connect to a port in one way — everyone has had to flip a USB-A plug multiple times to get it aligned correctly. USB-B was the companion connector type in the early days, used for peripherals like printers. Mini-B and Micro-B served the same purpose on mobile devices like MP3 players and phones until USB-C started replacing them. USB-A is still used today and has wide compatibility across devices given how long it's been around, found on desktops, laptops, routers, game consoles, and car chargers.

USB-C (officially USB Type-C) debuted in 2014 and is a reversible oval, so you only have to attempt plugging it in once. Unlike USB-A, USB-C sidesteps the host-device distinction; when you connect two devices, they figure out which is which. It is now the standard for smaller devices like smartphones, tablets, headphones, and controllers. USB-C is also more versatile, capable of charging larger devices like laptops, outputting video and audio, and connecting peripherals, achieving with just a few ports what used to require half a dozen connections.

Everything we've talked about so far only pertains to the physical connection types of cables and device ports. The data transfer, charging speed and other capabilities of both USB-A and USB-C depend on the standards for a specific cable and port. For example, USB-A has limited charging speeds, whereas USB-C supports modern faster protocols.