Why are some USB ports yellow?

Many of us may think that this is just a design element but in reality the color of the USB port carries significant meaning about the capabilities they offer.

Many laptops or desktop PCs today come with yellow USB ports.

According to the USB Implementers Forum (USB IF), the organization responsible for maintaining the USB standard, color coding is used to help users identify different functions of the port. Specifically, a blue USB port typically indicates that it is a USB 3.0 port, which can transfer data at speeds of up to 5 gigabits per second (Gbps). Conversely, a black port represents a USB 2.0 port, which has much slower data transfer speeds.

What does the yellow USB port mean?

This is a fairly new port in the eyes of many people but has an interesting meaning. This port is not only capable of transmitting data but also providing passive power, allowing the device to be charged even when the computer is turned off.

The yellow USB-A port (the rectangular one) is essentially the same as the red USB port used to mark ports that are USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 Gen 1 compliant. That means they can transfer at least 5 Gbps of data, or up to 20 Gbps in some cases. Finally, the blue USB port is also USB 3.0, but it is not a charging port when the computer is turned off.

With the yellow USB port, users can charge their device even when the PC is turned off.

Note that both yellow and orange USB ports are capable of providing passive power, but they may have different data transfer speeds. Orange is typically associated with USB 3.0 and is often found on industrial devices.

For USB-C, the most common port type today, functionality is not tied to color coding. Instead, the USB version (like 2.0, 3.1) determines the port's functionality. Some companies may apply color coding to USB-C ports, but this is not a general rule and leads to confusion for consumers.

Although USB is a connectivity standard maintained by the USB IF to ensure that USB accessories work together, the USB-IF cannot control how companies implement the USB standard. Therefore, users should carefully check USB ports and cables to ensure they work as expected, and should not rely on color coding alone to determine their capabilities.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/tai-sao-mot-so-cong-usb-co-mau-vang-185250203222653738.htm