- Cables Overview - Full Article Mobile phones--whether 'smart'
or otherwise--utilize a wide variety of cables to connect to
their power sources, transfer data, and send audio and video
content. Keeping track of the various acronyms and variations
can be difficult, however, and there are few things more
frustrating than bringing home a new device only to discover
that you're missing a cable essential to its use. The vast
majority of modern cell phones utilize USB ports and cables. The
reasoning is simple: USB allows for the transfer of both data
and power, often simultaneously, so a single port will take care
of all of the major transfer requirements of a phone. Not all
USB connections are the same, however. USB cables vary in plug
size, shape, and functionality, but the three most common
variations you're likely to encounter are: mini-USB, micro-USB,
and unique (or proprietary) brand-specific connectors. Mini- and
micro-USB are distinguished by slight variations in size and
performance (the latter is smaller