USB 4 specs and features: Everything you need to know about the new double-speed USB

![][1]

USB is one of tech's ultimate success stories - a universal standard that took off in every way. But things have got a little confusing over recent years with USB 3.x having multiple cable types. There have also been several connectivity standards within and alongside USB 3.2, for example.

* [Best power banks: Top power packs for phones and USB-C laptops][2]

This will be fixed with USB 4.0, which will use one standard connector and bring the multiple connectivity standards together. Here's what's happening and why.

## The history of USB so far

1995 - USB 1.0 debuted and could transfer 12 megabits. USB 1.1 followed and could also work with older devices. The familiar USB connector was introduced.

1998 - The [iMac G3][3] is the first mass-market PC to bin serial and parallel ports in favour of USB.

2000 - USB 2.0 enters the fray, offering some power delivery options (the forerunner to the standard that enables you to charge your phone). USB flash drives debut.

2008 - USB 3.0 makes its debut, with a 5Gbps transfer speed. USB 3.1 is introduced as an upgraded version.

2014 - [USB-C or USB Type-C][4] makes its debut. This uses USB 3.1 tech, but with a new connector designed to take over from old-style USB ports. Like Apple's proprietary Lightning connector, it's symmetrical and can be inserted either way up.

2017 - USB 3.2 is first talked about, offering data rates of up to 20Gbps. It'll be introduced this year (2019) but it's not as simple as it seems. Just like [the Wi-Fi Alliance did before it][5], the guys behind USB have decided that the old standards will be renamed as well.

* USB 3.2 Gen 1, formerly known as USB 3.0, with speeds of up to 5 Gbps.
* USB 3.2 Gen 2, formerly known as USB 3.1, 10 Gbps top speed.
* USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, which is actually "proper" USB 3.2," with up to 20Gbps.

Yes, we're not making this up, so expect to see USB 3.2 a lot over the coming months.

2019 - USB 3.2 will be introduced to products on shelves, while USB 4.0 has now been announced - read on!

## The Thunderbolt confusion

One of the further confusions recently has been the [Intel-designed Thunderbolt fast data transfer tech][6] that was initially deployed by Apple. It works over the USB-C connector these days (although previously worked over DisplayPort before USB-C was common). Although many PC manufacturers now produce devices with Thunderbolt, there are two key issues:

Firstly, not all devices have it and unless you've got the spec sheet in front of you, it's not really clear what devices do and don't support it. That's because [the USB-C port][4] can be a Thunderbolt port, but it can also be a standard USB 3.x port.

Secondly, the same devices can have ports that are Thunderbolt compatible and some ports that aren't Thunderbolt compatible - even though they look the same.

There are currently more than 400 PCs on the market with Thunderbolt 3 as well as 450 compatible peripherals.

## So what's happening now?

[Intel has announced][7] that it has essentially contributed its work on Thunderbolt to the USB Promoter Group - the industry body that decides what the USB standard should mean.

That means that Thunderbolt [will basically underpin][8] USB 4.0, so all USB 4.0 devices and ports will be automatically compatible with Thunderbolt devices for super-fast data transfer as well as device charging and display across a single cable as now. The USB 4 specification is soon to be released.

Device makers will be able to make Thunderbolt devices without paying royalties to Intel, which should make adoption easy.

Intel is also integrating Thunderbolt 3 into Intel CPUs now, beginning with Intel's latest [10th generation Core processors][9].

![][10]

## Speed freaks will be happy

"The primary goal of USB is to deliver the best user experience combining data, display and power delivery over a user-friendly and robust cable and connector solution," said USB Promoter Group Chairman Brad Saunders in a statement.

"The USB4 solution specifically tailors bus operation to further enhance this [by] enabling the further doubling of performance."

Yep, double the performance (40Gbps) compared with the fastest version of USB 3.x which offered 20Gbps. However, there is a bit of a sour note becuase that's exactly the same speed as Thunderbolt 3, meaning that there will be no enhancement for current Thunderbolt 3 devotees on a standard that will be several years old already.

Existing USB Type-C cables will be able to transfer through two lanes, whereas if you have compatible certified cables, you'll be able to transfer up to 40 Gbps.

![][11]

## USB 4 release date

The USB 4 specification will be published in the middle of 2019 and will probably appear in devices in late 2020 or early 2021 - it usually takes around 1.5 years for devices to come to market once a new standard is published for the first time.

Over 50 companies are currently involved in the standard, especially those behind the USB Promoter Group - Apple, HP, Intel, Microsoft, ST Microelectoronics and Texas Instruments.

## What will happen to the connector?

The USB-C connector was designed to be future proof and reversible. It will be staying. The new standard will be backwards compatible with existing USB 3.2, USB 2.0 and Thunderbolt 3 hosts although if they don't have USB-C connectors they will need an adapter.

* [Intel Ice Lake 10th generation Core processors: Everything you need to know][9]

[1]: https://cdn.pocket-lint.com/r/s/748x/assets/images/147329-laptops-news-usb-4-specs-and-features-heres-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-new-double-speed-usb-image1-nvewik4tki.jpg?v1
[2]: https://www.pocket-lint.com/gadgets/buyers-guides/129572-best-battery-packs-portable-chargers-and-power-banks-for-your-smartphone-or-gadget
[3]: https://www.pocket-lint.com/laptops/news/apple/144413-20-years-of-the-imac-looking-back-at-apple-s-legendary-imac-g3
[4]: https://www.pocket-lint.com/gadgets/news/130338-what-is-usb-c
[5]: https://www.pocket-lint.com/laptops/news/145950-what-are-wi-fi-5-and-wi-fi-6
[6]: https://www.pocket-lint.com/laptops/news/139323-thunderbolt-3-explained-the-one-port-to-rule-them-all
[7]: https://newsroom.intel.com/news/intel-takes-steps-enable-thunderbolt-3-everywhere-releases-protocol/#gs.F1wroqM3
[8]: https://usb.org/sites/default/files/2019-02/USB_PG_USB4_DevUpdate_Announcement_FINAL_20190226.pdf
[9]: https://www.pocket-lint.com/laptops/news/intel/146552-intel-sunny-cove-ice-lake
[10]: https://cdn.pocket-lint.com/r/s/660x/assets/images/147329-laptops-news-usb-4-specs-and-features-heres-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-new-double-speed-usb-image2-tfr4gasakt.jpg
[11]: https://cdn.pocket-lint.com/assets/images/139323-laptops-news-feature-thunderbolt-3-explained-taking-usb-c-ports-to-the-next-level-image3-mawjt7qirp.jpg

URL: https://www.pocket-lint.com/laptops/news/intel/147329-usb-4-specs-news-features