So far, the USB standards and their differences are rather clear. What complicates things is USB C. This term refers only to the type of connector used and not the USB standard that it carries.
But let’s talk about the positives first. Because of its design the USB C connector is reversible so there won’t be any more issues with having to turn the plug around trying to connect to a hard to reach USB connector. The new connector also uses less space than the traditional USB ones. Its versatility should have become obvious above. All of the mentioned protocols can be carried out using the new USB C connector.
But this is also where the problem lies: If the connector is not accompanied by a specific designation next to it (which is the case on most smartphones) you won’t know what USB standards are being used. Some smartphones with USB C like the HTC 10 support USB 3.1 Type C docking stations with HDMI, Ethernet and USB-Hub – others like the Huawei Mate 9 however, use USB 2.0 and only offer limited support for accessories like these.
So if the manufacturer doesn’t tell you what standards they use in their USB C connectors it will be quite the quest to find the right cables, adaptors and accessories. Whereas back in the day you didn’t need to say any more than “I need a USB cable for my printer”, you need to be very specific today. For example: To connect a monitor like the one mentioned above you would need a USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type C cable with Power Delivery and DisplayPort.
Apple however puts the cherry on top of the cake with their newest MacBook models. To charge them you need a compatible USB C cable which can only be identified by looking at the serial number on the cable itself.
As of now, there is no real solution to this problem because the manufacturers are free in choosing what standards they choose to implement. At CES 2017 however we saw a clear trend leaning towards Thunderbolt 3, at least as far as notebooks are concerned. With this connector, all standards are taken care of and there is zero guesswork involved. Smartphone manufacturers however remain shy when it comes to admitting what standards they use.
Conclusion
To identify a USB port the Port color is the main giveaway. Black stands for USB 2.0 and older, blue stands for USB 3.1 Gen1(USB 3.0), and red for USB 3.1 Gen 2.
When dealing with a USB Type C connector, the only way to tell is either the logos next to it or by examining the technical specifications of the device at hand. Especially smartphones are never upfront with the standard they use and that information is usually hidden away deep within the spec-sheet, that is if the manufacturers will tell you at all.