USB-C
USB · 5 specs
Direct Answer
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.
Source: USB-IF; EU Directive 2022/2380 · Last reviewed Aug 28, 2026
Specs
| 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 |
One Connector, Several Independent Capabilities
USB-C's shape guarantees only that a cable will physically fit and carry a baseline of USB 2.0 data plus up to 60W of power -- everything beyond that (higher data speeds, higher Power Delivery wattage, DisplayPort/Thunderbolt alt-mode video) is separately negotiated and depends entirely on what the specific cable and both connected devices actually support. A visually identical USB-C cable can be USB 2.0-only or USB4-capable; that distinction isn't visible from the connector alone.
The EU's Radio Equipment Directive amendment (2022/2380) made USB-C legally mandatory for most new wired-charging phones, tablets, cameras, headphones, and several other portable device categories sold in the EU by the end of 2024, with laptops given a longer transition to April 28, 2026 -- turning what had already become the de facto industry standard into a binding legal requirement.