Do I really need USB-C?

neilmcl

I'm looking at the new Moto G6 phones and the toss up is between the standard G6 and the cheaper G6 play.

One of the differences is the latter doesn't have the newer USB type C connector, instead it makes do with the standard Micro USB port. I've seen a lot of phone reviews of all makes bigging up the latest things like USB-C, 18:9 screens etc but what will I lose out on if I didn't have a USB C connection on a phone, am I really going to miss out?

wongataa

The differences between USB-C and micro USB:

• The USB C connector can be plugged in any way around. Micor USB has to be plugged in in a certain orientation. This is nice but not a mjor advantage to USB C.
• USB C equipped phones can implement faster charging protocols if the phone maker has included the capability into the phone.
• USB C can utilise the faster USB 3 transfer rates if the phone maker has included that capability into the phone.

Otherwise they work just the same. Eventually USB C will replace micro USB. To be honest you won't really miss out if you don't have USB C. The reversible plug is nice though.

neilmcl

wongataa wrote: »

The differences between USB-C and micro USB:

• The USB C connector can be plugged in any way around. Micor USB has to be plugged in in a certain orientation. This is nice but not a mjor advantage to USB C.
• USB C equipped phones can implement faster charging protocols if the phone maker has included the capability into the phone.
• USB C can utilise the faster USB 3 transfer rates if the phone maker has included that capability into the phone.

Otherwise they work just the same. Eventually USB C will replace micro USB. To be honest you won't really miss out if you don't have USB C. The reversible plug is nice though.

This was my thoughts. I don't really do a lot of data transfer via my phone, least not enough to warrant a faster transfer protocol, most things like photos, etc get uploaded to cloud services anyway. All Moto 6 phones offer what they're calling "Turbopower" charging regardless of whether you have USB-C or Micro USB, I suppose the only difference you'd see if you had to use a different charger. And that's another thing, I'd have to go out and buy more charger/cables if I moved to USB-C for when I'm away from home. Like you say, there doesn't seem to be any great advantages I'd miss out on if I didn't have it on my phone.

indesisiv

neilmcl wrote: »

And that's another thing, I'd have to go out and buy more charger/cables if I moved to USB-C for when I'm away from home.

You can buy a pack of 5 micro usb to USC-C for about £2 so no need for new chargers.

stragglebod

If you've managed to break charging ports in the past then @wongataa's first point could be a major benefit as it's near impossible to insert a USB-C charger incorrectly.

As the standard become more and more common you'll end up with loads of USB-C cables like you have with micro-USB now, and as @indesisiv says there are cheap ways to use those cables too.