14 DAY TRIAL // Good news for Android fans, as Google has just confirmed USB Type-C ports will be included in smartphones in the not-so-distant future.
After launching its new Chromebook Pixel, which features such a USB Type-C port, Google stated in promo video that we should expect USB Type-C to be expanded to Android phones as well and that we shouldn't be surprised.
The USB Type-C looks similarly to the microUSB port when it comes to size, but unlike the latter, this one is reversible. First of all, the design of the connector will help users not get confused when trying to plug it in a PC or other compatible device in the dark.
Because it's reversible, charging a smartphone through a USB Type-C port will take less time because it can provide bi-directional power. In addition, it can handle massive loads delivering up to 20V at 5A (100W), which allow users to charge multiple devices at the same time.
Moving on to data transfer, USB Type-C is the fastest USB standard, as it can provide data transfers at rates up to 10 Gbps, which is twice the speed of the current USB 3.0 standard.
Moreover, it's backwards compatible with previous versions of USB standards, but it requires an adapter to function properly.
But with advantages come some drawbacks as well, but these mostly refer to the manufacturers and less to users.
Hopefully, this will become a standard USB port inside smartphones
First of all, due to the fact that it's reversible, the USB Type-C is slightly larger than it could be, though it's really small and should not worry any user.
When it comes to manufacturing process, the reversibility feature means that the connector will require more silicon to do it, which is of some concern to those who want to manufacture USB Type-C because they have to modify their assembly lines.
However, on the long run, the investment will surely be worth the trouble, as users will clearly obtain a much better transfer when using USB Type-C over previous versions of the port.
Now it remains to be seen which Android smartphone will be the first to bring USB Type-C to users. Could Nexus 7 be packed with USB Type-C? We reckon that's a possibility.
