When most people think of USB-C ports, they call them the “charging port,” but in reality, they’re do-everything connections that can output video, transfer data at high speeds, and even transfer power both ways. That little port has untapped capability if you know what you’re looking for, and some devices can even completely upgrade their functionality with a good, stable USB-C connection.

Whether it’s the phone in your pocket or the tablet on your nightstand, you’re likely missing out on a few key features if you don’t use your USB-C port to its full potential. Back when the EU adopted a law to force Apple to use USB-C connections, nobody might have known just how much of a ripple effect that would have on the tech space, but here we are, and now, even devices like professional cameras and handheld gaming PCs are leveled up with the aid of a good USB-C connection. These four devices in particular, though, completely change their capabilities when paired with the right USB-C cable.

Your smartphone wants to be a computer

Plug in a monitor, get a desktop

What I find hilarious is that the new iPhone chips, the A18s, either matched or were more powerful than my 2021 MacBook Air M1 chips in nearly every round of testing the company conducted, but what does that mean for USB-C performance? Essentially, it means that if you connect your iPhone, or even a Galaxy model with Samsung DeX capability, to a desktop, you now have twice the computing power you had before. Sticking with iPhones for a minute, though, if you have a Pro model, your USB-C port can also export to external SSDs to free up storage.

That’s all before we even get to reverse charging for things like AirPods or other compatible headphones, plus the ability to run accessories through USB-C, like microphones, gaming controllers, audio interfaces, and Ethernet adapters. No device has been impacted more positively by the switch to USB-C, and I hope we never change it again.

Tablets finally get real desk jobs

Inching closer every year to a real desktop replacement

Back in 2021, I got an iPad for school and thought I could completely replace my MacBook with it. I was egregiously mistaken, and that same MacBook Air we referenced earlier is now on its last legs. But now, in the big 2026, I’m taking a much harder look at upgrading my iPad, too, because the new Pro models are inching incredibly close to delivering real desktop power. Don’t believe me? Today, tablets with USB-C connections can act as a monitor extension and, again, provide real power alongside it.

And remember that audio gear that you can connect to your iPhone now? The new iPads get that, too, but bigger. Numerous professional programs run well on an iPad connection now, like Apple’s own Logic Pro. Plus, photo editing has never been easier on a tablet, and as processing power keeps increasing, we’re getting to a point where an iPad could rival your desktop’s editing performance, depending on its age.

Unlock your camera’s real capabilities

All-day shooting? No problem

I own a Nikon Z6III and upgraded from the D750 you see pictured here. The USB-C connectivity has completely changed what I do with this camera in almost every way, from how I power it to how I instantly transfer files, and even how I use it as a webcam for quick short-form content creation. But the capabilities extend way beyond just having the best cameras for meetings or virtual podcast recording.

Features like tethered shooting let me transfer files directly wherever I need them, whether to my laptop for a fast editing turnaround or to an editor to get our product up as fast as possible. I can even use my phone’s USB-C connectivity as a tether for even faster transfers. That requires extra professional software, but the USB-C connection makes it possible to do it well. More than any of my own devices, my camera is the most affected and most helped by its USB-C capabilities in my entire creative arsenal.

Small screen by day, living room console by night

And I’m not just talking about the Nintendo Switch

Between the Switch 2, the Steam Deck, and the ROG Ally, we’ve never been in a more interesting place for gaming, and, wouldn’t you know it, most of it runs on USB-C. You can dock all of these systems to a TV for a traditional console experience, or you can throw them in a backpack and game on your morning commute, assuming you’re not driving yourself.

You can charge and play all at once from the same dock, expand your storage with external hard drives, and do so much more than was previously thought possible in a handheld system. Believe it or not, most of it has come about as a result of the entire industry shifting to using the same high-quality USB-C ecosystem.