Amidst all the excitement that comes with unpacking your gaming console comes a few questions that gnaw at your curiosity. One such question is “Does PS5 use USB C Port”?
And if so, what are the uses of the USB C port anyways? Does it serve any special purpose?
In short though, yes, PS5 DOES use a USB C port and it DOES have one special use case.
While the USB C port can be used like any other Type-A port on the PS5 itself, it serves the special purpose of interfacing with the PS VR2 – the flagship VR headset of this gaming generation for PS5.
Let me discuss this in detail below:
USB Ports on PS5
PS5 features 4 x USB ports to be exact. But they are NOT of the same specifications.
On the front, you have:
- 1 x USB Type-C (SuperSpeed) port on the front (10 Gbps)
- 1 x USB Type-A (Hi-Speed) port on the front (0.48 Gbps)
On the rear, you have:
- 2 x USB Type-A (SuperSpeed) ports on the rear (10 Gbps)
As far as the power delivery goes, all of the ports are the same. They deliver about 5.0 V at 2.28 A (~11.5W).
So Does PS5 Use USB C Port?
Yes, it does. PS5 uses the SuperSpeed aka USB 3.2 Gen 2 standard USB C port on the front.
It should be noted that at 10 Gbps, this is NOT the fastest USB C port out there. There are much faster USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 ports with 20 Gbps transfer and higher ports out there. But they are often found only on very high-end PCs.
Not a Thunderbolt or PD Port
It is important to point out here that the USB C form factor is used in many different specifications.
Thunderbolt ports with 40 Gbps transfer speed and higher Power Delivery (PD) port (as found on Macbook) that can deliver more than 200W of power ALSO share the USB C form factor.
HOWEVER, know that not all ports with the USB form factor are the same.
Hence, the USB C port on PS5 is not the most powerful of its kind out there.
What are the Uses of USB C Port on PS5?
So what are the uses of the USB C port and does it have a special purpose at all?
Well, the USB C port on the PS5 can essentially be used as any other USB port on the PS5.
You can use it for:
- Controllers
- Camera
- VR Headset
- External Hard Drive
- Audio Device
You can even use a USB C to USB Type A adapter for connecting Type A cables. Or simply use a USB C to USB Type A cable for connecting devices like external hard drives.
The Real Deal is its DP-Alt Mode
The one SPECIAL purpose the USB Type C port on PS5 holds is that it is ESSENTIAL for connecting the PSVR2 to PS5.
The USB C Port on the front is the PRIMARY port through which the PS VR2 – the latest and the flagship VR headset by PS5 – interfaces with the PS5.
You Do Get a USB-A to USB-C Cable
Of course, if you want to connect average devices, you will need to have the Type A connector because the majority of contemporary devices do not yet have the Type C connector.
Fortunately, PS5 DOES come with a USB-A to USB-C cable so you should have much trouble using this port with your older devices at all.
