Why Are Some USB Ports Black? Here's What It Means

Although all USB (Universal Serial Bus) ports serve the same basic purpose of connecting devices, they are not all created equal. USB ports can vary in compatibility, power output, data transfer speeds, and other capabilities. Manufacturers use color coding to differentiate between the different USB port formats. For instance, a red USB port is typically used for USB 3.1 Gen 2 and USB 3.2 standards, while blue ports indicate USB 3.0. Black USB ports are among the most common.  A black USB port is commonly associated with USB 2.0, which was introduced back in the year 2000 as an upgrade from the legacy white USB 1.x ports. Black USB ports are also referred to as "Hi-Speed" connectors, as they support data transfer speeds of up to 480 Mbps.

Although black USB 2.0 ports are slower than the latest USB 3.x ports, you'll still find them on some modern-day laptops and computers. This is because they are perfectly capable of handling peripherals like keyboards, mice, cameras, printers, and legacy hardware. You'll also find black USB ports on TVs, as they are sufficient for connecting external storage devices, media players, and other accessories. 

In terms of power output, a USB 2.0 port provides a maximum current of 0.5A. This makes it suitable for powering small devices like a Fire TV Stick but insufficient for high-power devices like smartphones or tablets that require more power. If you have the option, it's best to use a USB 3.0 or higher port for charging devices or transferring large files. 

Keep in mind that USB port colors don't follow a universal standard. So, manufacturers can use different colors regardless of a port's capabilities. Hence, it's always a good idea to refer to the product manual to confirm the exact specifications of the USB ports on a device.