Side-by-Side Comparison
USB
USB-A vs. USB Power Delivery
Comparing 2 standards across 8 specifications. 8 key differences identified.
Comparing:
USB-A
USB Power Delivery
USB-A (Standard-A) is the flat rectangular connector on host ports -- computers, chargers, hubs. It used 4 pins for USB 1.x/2.0 speeds; a 9-pin variant, adding 5 SuperSpeed contacts, extended it to USB 3.0+ in 2008 without changing the external shape or requiring a new socket design.
USB Power Delivery (USB PD) is a separate negotiation protocol governing how much power flows over a USB-C cable -- independent of the cable's data speed. Standard Power Range tops out at 100W (20V/5A); PD 3.1's Extended Power Range (2021) raised that ceiling to 240W (48V/5A), requiring cables with a built-in identification chip.
Specification Comparison Table
8 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Pin Count
|
4 (USB 1.x/2.0) or 9 (USB 3.0+, adds 5 SuperSpeed contacts) | — |
|
Standard Base Dimensions
|
~12 x 4.5 mm | — |
|
Reversible
|
No | — |
|
Typical Role
|
Host / downstream-facing port | — |
|
PD 1.0
|
— | 2012 -- up to 60W |
|
PD 2.0
|
— | 2013 -- up to 100W (Standard Power Range, 20V/5A) |
|
PD 3.1 (EPR)
|
— | 2021 -- up to 240W (Extended Power Range, 48V/5A) |
|
EPR Cable Requirement
|
— | Built-in E-Marker identification chip |
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