To clarify, these are USB Type-A and USB Type-C connectors. ) USB Type A is the standard rectangular shape that has been used in almost all computer/laptop connectors for the past several decades. USB Type-C is the new standard (since 2017) and seems like one connector to power them all with all sorts of neat features. My favorite is the fact that you can plug it in any direction/orientation. This breaks the curse of all previous USB connectors (including Micro-USB) where you accidentally try to plug it in the wrong orientation (upside down) and have to try again (and possibly try again). No, USB Type-C is not compatible with Micro-USB (small charging ports on most smartphones and peripherals over the last decade), but there are small adapters that allow USB-C and Micro cables to be reused/replaced. These cables are long and have a nice texture, like a cloth material that is not cold to the touch.