Choose USB-C over micro USB for faster charging and data transfer

The article advises choosing USB-C over micro USB when buying new gadgets, arguing that the older port can limit charging speed, data transfer and convenience. Its continued presence may indicate an ageing design or cost-cutting, although the port alone does not make an existing device unusable.

Micro USB dates to 2007 and commonly supports USB 2.0 data speeds of up to 480 Mbps and charging around 7.5 watts. By comparison, the article says USB 3.0 reaches 5 Gbps, USB 4 starts at 40 Gbps, and USB-C charging can exceed 100 watts, with USB Power Delivery reaching 240 watts in some cases. Micro USB is not reversible, may be more prone to bent pins and requires a separate cable, though it can still be adequate for low-power devices such as wireless earbuds; keeping older working gadgets avoids unnecessary expense and waste.