Micro-USB is a small, flat connector introduced in the mid 2000s to replace the bulkier mini-USB on phones, cameras and other portable devices. The most common version, Micro-USB B, became the de facto standard charging and data port for Android phones, e-readers, headphones and many other gadgets for many years.
Micro-USB only fits one way, and its thin metal tab is more fragile than the connector inside a USB-C port, so ports and cables tend to wear out faster with heavy use. Data speeds and power on micro-USB are limited compared with USB-C, and it cannot support USB Power Delivery in the way modern chargers do.
Since the EU rules on a common charger came into effect, most new phones and portable devices sold in the EU use USB-C instead. Micro-USB is now mainly found on older devices, and adapters exist for connecting older micro-USB accessories to newer USB-C equipment. See the connector overview for how it compares with other USB plugs.
