Driven by the global push for compact, efficient, and multifunctional connection standards, the market for USB Type-C connectors has become a crucial area in the electronics and technology industry. According to Global Growth Insights, the global market size of USB Type-C connectors reached $4.29 billion in 2024. It is expected to climb to $5.16 billion in 2025 and is projected to soar to $22.56 billion by 2033, with a compound annual growth rate of 20.24%.
(Market Trends of USB Connectors, Image from Global Growth Insights)
The USB Type-C connector stands out in the market due to its unique technical advantages:
- High-speed Data Transmission: USB-C supports a data rate of up to 10 Gbps, enabling fast file transfer and reliable connection with high-resolution displays and external storage devices.
- Reversible Design: Thanks to the symmetrical design of USB-C, it improves the user experience and reduces wear and tear caused by long-term use. The annoyance of incorrect plugging has become a thing of the past.
- Thunderbolt Compatibility: USB-C supports Thunderbolt 4 technology, achieving a data transmission speed of up to 40 Gbps. It supports video output (including 8K resolution) and allows daisy-chaining of multiple peripheral devices through a single cable. Future developments such as Thunderbolt 5 are expected to provide even higher speeds (up to 120 Gbps) for specific use cases.
- High-resolution Video Support of USB-C: With the DisplayPort Alt mode, USB-C supports video output of up to 8K, making it an ideal choice for high-performance displays without the need for additional technology.
(USB 3.0 Right-angle Female Connector, Image from Conray)
According to data from Global Growth Insights, globally, 75% of smartphones sold in 2023 were equipped with USB Type-C connectors, compared to only 55% in 2020. At the same time, the USB Type-C standard has been integrated into a wide range of devices, including smartphones, laptops, game consoles, and peripheral devices. In 2023, more than 85% of newly launched consumer electronics products adopted the USB Type-C interface.
The application scenarios of USB Type-C connectors are continuously expanding. In the automotive field, it is integrated into high-quality in-car infotainment systems, enhancing the in-car connection experience. With the explosion of wearable devices and Internet of Things applications, its high-speed communication capabilities are highly favored. In game consoles and peripheral devices, Type-C connectors are also increasingly used due to their seamless plug-and-play features. In the field of charging consumer devices, it enables a single connector to be suitable for multiple devices, simplifying the device ecosystem. Its technical features such as high-speed data transmission, reversible design, Thunderbolt compatibility, and high-resolution video support bring convenient and efficient usage experiences to users.
(TYPE-C 16P Waterproof Female USB Connector, Image from Conray)
In terms of market types, USB Type-C connectors are divided into standard type, power supply type, and Thunderbolt-compatible type. Each type meets specific performance and functional requirements. According to Global Growth Insights statistics, due to its versatility and economy, the standard type accounted for 40% of the total market share in 2023. The power supply type is popular in high-end devices, accounting for about 30%. The Thunderbolt-compatible type is used in professional-grade devices. Although it currently accounts for 20%, with the development of cloud computing and 4K content production, the demand is expected to grow rapidly.
As a professional connector design and manufacturing company, Conray provides a variety of USB connectors for consumer-grade, data communication, industrial, and automotive applications. It has a comprehensive range of USB 2.0, 3.0 connectors, and USB cables, including straight, right-angle, surface mount, and through-hole configurations. Conray’s durable USB connector products can be plugged and unplugged 10,000 times. The dual-stacked USB connectors also provide additional power supply ports. In addition, Conray can customize solutions according to different application requirements.
