Type-A to Micro-B adapter
A USB Type-A plug on one end and a Micro-USB Type-B socket on the other. This converts a port rather than carrying a signal any distance, so it is usually a stubby dongle rather than a cable.
USB Type-A — plug
The flat rectangle everyone pictures when they hear “USB”.
How to recognise it
- Flat rectangle, roughly 12 mm wide and 4.5 mm tall.
- Only goes in one way up, though it famously takes three tries.
- A white or black plastic tongue inside the metal shell.
- Maximum speed:
- 480 Mbps (Hi-Speed)
- Maximum power:
- 2.5 W standard, more with proprietary charging
Micro-USB Type-B — socket
The small trapezoid that charged every phone before Type-C.
How to recognise it
- About 6.85 mm wide, with two corners angled so it only fits one way.
- Much thinner front to back than a Mini-B.
- Usually black plastic inside a bare metal shell.
- Maximum speed:
- 480 Mbps (Hi-Speed)
- Maximum power:
- 2.5 W standard, up to 9 W with fast charging