# USB Micro-B plug

> a class of legacy USB plugs (peripheral device end) that preceded USB-C

**Wikidata**: [Q133870489](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q133870489)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/usb-micro-b-plug

## Summary
The USB Micro-B plug is a legacy USB connector used on peripheral devices (e.g., smartphones, tablets) before the introduction of USB-C. It belongs to the USB Type-B class, designed for the device end of a connection, and was widely adopted due to its compact size compared to earlier USB Standard-B and Mini-B plugs. It supports USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 standards, with distinct variants for each.

## Key Facts
- **Type**: Legacy USB plug for peripheral devices, succeeded by USB-C.
- **Classification**: Subclass of USB Micro-B connector, USB Micro plug, and USB Type-B plug.
- **Variants**: Includes USB 2.0 Micro-B and USB 3.0 Micro-B plugs, differing in pin configuration and data transfer rates.
- **Design**: Smaller than USB Standard-B and USB Mini-B plugs, featuring a trapezoidal shape.
- **Differentiation**: Distinct from USB Micro-B receptacles (sockets) and earlier USB Mini-B/Standard-B plugs.
- **Image**: Illustrated in [USB connector diagrams](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/USB_connector_illustration,_to_scale,_grouping,_legacy,_Micro-B_plugs.svg).
- **Aliases**: Known as "Micro-USB Type-B plug."
- **Status**: Largely obsolete in new devices, replaced by USB-C since the mid-2010s.

## FAQs
### Q: What replaced the USB Micro-B plug?
A: The USB Micro-B plug was succeeded by the USB-C connector, which offers faster speeds, higher power delivery, and reversible design. USB-C became the standard for new devices starting in the mid-2010s.

### Q: How does USB Micro-B differ from USB Mini-B?
A: USB Micro-B is smaller and more robust than USB Mini-B, which it largely replaced. Micro-B features a trapezoidal shape, while Mini-B has a squarish design with offset pins.

### Q: Is USB Micro-B the same as USB Type-B?
A: USB Micro-B is a subset of the broader USB Type-B category, which includes larger Standard-B plugs. All USB Type-B connectors are designed for peripheral devices, but Micro-B specifically refers to the compact variant.

## Why It Matters
The USB Micro-B plug played a critical role in standardizing connectivity for mobile and portable devices in the late 2000s and early 2010s. Its compact design enabled thinner, lighter devices compared to earlier USB Standard-B and Mini-B connectors. By supporting both USB 2.0 and 3.0 standards, it facilitated data transfer and charging across a wide range of electronics, from smartphones to e-readers. While largely replaced by USB-C, its legacy persists in older devices and adapters, underscoring its historical importance in consumer electronics. The shift from Micro-B to USB-C reflects broader trends toward faster, universal, and future-proof connectivity solutions.

## Notable For
- **Compact Design**: Smaller footprint than USB Standard-B and Mini-B, enabling sleeker devices.
- **USB 3.0 Support**: The USB 3.0 Micro-B variant added faster data transfer rates (up to 5 Gbps) while maintaining backward compatibility.
- **Widespread Adoption**: Became the dominant connector for Android devices, tablets, and accessories pre-USB-C.
- **Distinct Shape**: Trapezoidal plug design helped prevent incorrect insertion compared to older USB connectors.

## Body
### Classification
The USB Micro-B plug is classified under three parent categories:  
- **USB Micro-B connector**: Specific to its physical design.  
- **USB Micro plug**: A broader class of compact USB connectors.  
- **USB Type-B plug**: Indicates its role as a peripheral device connector (vs. Type-A for host devices).  

### Physical Characteristics
- **Shape**: Trapezoidal with a 2.0 mm × 7.5 mm footprint.  
- **Pins**: USB 2.0 Micro-B uses 5 pins; USB 3.0 Micro-B adds 5 additional pins for faster data transfer.  

### Variants
- **USB 2.0 Micro-B**: Supports up to 480 Mbps data transfer.  
- **USB 3.0 Micro-B**: Introduced in 2008, supports up to 5 Gbps speeds.  

### Obsolescence
- **Replacement by USB-C**: USB-C, introduced in 2014, offers reversible design, higher power delivery, and multi-purpose use (data, video, power).  
- **Legacy Use**: Still found in older devices, industrial equipment, and low-cost electronics.  

### Visual Identification
- **USB 3.0 Micro-B**: Distinguished by a double-row pin layout and a "SS" (SuperSpeed) logo.  
- **Color Coding**: Often colored blue for USB 3.0 variants.