1, USB 1.0/1.1:
USB 1.0 is one of the earliest USB standards, dating back to 1996. USB 1.1 is an improved version of USB 1.0, released in 1998. These two versions of USB ports have relatively slow speeds, with a maximum transfer rate of 12 Mbps (megabits per second). USB 1.0/1.1 interfaces are typically rectangular in shape and were standard on many early devices.
2, USB 2.0:
USB 2.0 was released in 2000 and is a major upgrade to USB 1.1. It provides a faster transmission rate, up to 480 Mbps. USB 2.0 ports are usually similar to USB 1.0/1.1 ports, but have significant improvements in speed and performance. Many traditional computers and peripheral devices still use USB 2.0 interfaces.
3, USB 3.0:
USB 3.0 was released in 2008 and introduces an ultra fast transmission mode with a maximum speed of 5 Gbps (gigabits per second). Compared to previous versions, USB 3.0 ports typically have deeper blue internal connectors to help users easily identify them. This version of USB is widely used for high-capacity data transmission needs, such as external hard drives and high-resolution cameras.
4, USB 3.1:
USB 3.1 is an upgrade to USB 3.0, providing faster transfer speeds up to 10 Gbps. USB 3.1 ports typically use red internal connectors to distinguish them from the blue of USB 3.0. This version of USB is more suitable for devices with high speed requirements, such as SSDs (solid state drives) and high-performance peripherals.
5, USB Type-C:
USB Type-C is not a transfer rate standard, but a physical connection standard, released in 2014. The USB Type-C port has many advantages, including reversible connection, smaller plug size, and support for various functions such as charging, data transfer, and video output. The widespread application of the USB Type-C interface has made it a mainstream choice in modern devices.
6, USB 4.0:
USB 4.0 is an upgrade to USB 3.1, providing faster transfer rates and more features. USB 4.0 can reach a maximum speed of 40 Gbps and also supports Thunderbolt 3 technology. USB 4.0 ports typically use green internal connectors to provide users with a new way of identification.
7, Thunderbolt 3:
Although Thunderbolt 3 is not a USB standard, we briefly mention it here due to its compatibility with USB Type-C. Thunderbolt 3 is a high-performance interface launched by Intel, with a maximum transfer rate of up to 40 Gbps. It supports simultaneous transmission of data, video, and power, providing more flexibility for connecting external displays, hard drives, and other peripherals.
