Side-by-Side Comparison
USB
USB-C vs. USB Power Delivery
Comparing 2 standards across 9 specifications. 9 key differences identified.
Comparing:
USB-C
USB Power Delivery
USB-C is the reversible, oval 24-pin connector now used across USB 2.0 through USB4 and Thunderbolt. It's the only connector required for USB4, and under EU law it became mandatory on most new phones, tablets, and cameras sold in the EU by the end of 2024, with laptops following by April 2026.
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
9 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Pin Count
|
24 (symmetrical, double-sided) | — |
|
Standard Base Dimensions
|
~8.34 x 2.56 mm | — |
|
Reversible
|
Yes | — |
|
EU Mandate (phones/tablets/cameras)
|
End of 2024 (Directive 2022/2380) | — |
|
EU Mandate (laptops)
|
April 28, 2026 | — |
|
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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