Mike Adams Live: Galaxy S7 and S7 edge stick with tried-and-true micro-USB port

Sunday, February 21, 2016

Galaxy S7 and S7 edge stick with tried-and-true micro-USB port

USB Type-C is all the rage nowadays, with more manufacturers getting on board with the latest USB standard after Google unveiled the Nexus 6P, Nexus 5X and Pixel C with the port late last year. Samsung has chosen to stay off the hype train for now, instead holding strong with micro-USB ports on the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge to match its predecessors.

While the official reasoning behind the choice to stick with micro-USB may not be known, there are quite a few factors at play here. First off is the vast number of Samsung-branded accessories out there that rely on micro-USB, such as chargers, as well as the massive install base of third-party micro-USB accessories that potential buyers own. Another (albeit smaller) consideration is the current-gen Gear VR, which the new Galaxy S7 and S7 edge are designed to fit into and relies on a micro-USB connection to stay compatible.

Though it doesn't offer the great features of USB-C like a reversible connector and faster data transfer speeds, the micro-USB port on the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge will still offer Samsung's Fast Charging technology (compatible with the Qualcomm Quick Charge standard). And while the USB-C standard is clearly the wave of the future and some buyers would prefer to have it, it's hard to blame Samsung for wanting to play to the much larger group of people who want to keep their micro-USB accessories when they upgrade to the latest Galaxy S.