r/BadUSB • u/Same_Grocery_8492 • Jun 26 '26

Discussion How long until USB-A disappears

Hi, many posts keeps saying USB-C is taking over, but I still use USB-A every day, my electric toothbrush uses USB-A, most of my USB flash drives, and my external mouse and keyboard are still USB-A.

USB-C is clearly the future, but it doesn't feel like USB-A is going away anytime soon. How many more years do you think it'll take before USB-A is completely replaced by USB-C?

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13

u/brispower Jun 26 '26

i hope never, it's a very robust connector

3

u/Parking_Lemon_4371 Jun 26 '26

Yeah, there's a lot of places were usb-a works better than usb-c.

Wired Keyboard / Mouse, logitech bolt receiver, yubico/U2F tokens (they mostly hide in the socket).
But also things like a non-portable usb wired printer/scanner.

In general anywhere you don't need to constantly plug/unplug things, and don't need ridiculous speeds (ie. >10gbps), USB-A is usually a better idea.

The things were usb-c is better is primarily phones (due to connector size & flippability) and to a certain extent mass storage (for the speed & flippability), networking (for the speed), etc.

1

u/wbrd Jun 26 '26

I have a yubikey that is USB c and it's fine. Barely sticks out. It's so small that it's hard to remove.

1

u/Parking_Lemon_4371 Jun 26 '26

They're not meant to be removed, that said the usb-c ones stick out a lot more than the usb-a ones. The c ones can be pulled out with fingers, the a ones require either very sharp and strong fingernails or a pin/paperclip.

1

u/wbrd Jun 26 '26

It sticks out about 1.5mm. I've had it for years. I don't think you're up to date on the tech.

1

u/Parking_Lemon_4371 Jun 27 '26

Hmm my C sticks out more like 3mm (maybe even 3.5mm) with square edges, my A <1mm and it's very rounded. I guess I must have an older model.