In a perfect world, Thunderbolt would fix the hot mess that is USB-C


Gadget Weekly

(Image credit: Android Central)

Join Namerah Saud Fatmi as she explores the cool, quirky, and sometimes downright odd world of smartphone accessories, gadgets, and other nerdy toys every week.

USB-C takes on many forms and shapes, one of them being Thunderbolt. You may have heard of it, or you may be completely unaware of its existence. In any case, I believe this connectivity protocol can be the groundbreaking solution that USB-C so desperately needs. Before I dive into why I think so, let me explain what USB-C is and its many protocols and specs.

Any explainer on the internet will tell you that USB Type-C is the oval 24-pin connector that is now found in the majority of phones, tablets, 2-in-1s, mobile accessories, and even some laptops and PCs. But not all USB-C ports are created equal. The capability of your Type-C port greatly varies depending on its USB specs. Just because your device has a USB-C port doesn’t mean that it has the latest specs.

The specs of your USB-C port dictate its compatible charging speeds and data transfer rates. Understanding the different USB specs can boggle your mind because the USB Implementers Forum has not made it easy to understand. The names and types are extremely confusing. For example, USB 3.2 Gen 1 is the same as USB 3.0, and USB 3.2 Gen 2 is completely different from USB 3.2 Gen 1, while USB4 builds on previous versions of the spec.

USB-C cable on a table

(Image credit: Namerah Saud Fatmi / Android Central)

I’m not going to break down all the different specs, but here’s a handy chart I borrowed from an excellent explainer by Tom’s Guide. It sums up the USB 3.x versions very nicely, making it easy to understand each commonly used USB version and its technical specifications.

Swipe to scroll horizontally
USB version Data transfer speed Alternate name Identical to Connector Type(s)
USB 3.2 Gen 1 5 Gbps SuperSpeed USB USB 3.1 Gen 1, USB 3.0 Type-A, Type-C, Type-B, micro-USB
USB 3.2 Gen 2 / Gen 2×1 10 Gbps SuperSpeed+ USB 10 Gbps USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-A, Type-C
USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 20 Gbps SuperSpeed+ USB 20 Gbps Type-C
USB 3.1 Gen 1 5 Gbps SuperSpeed USB USB 3.2 Gen 1, USB 3.0 Type-A, Type-C, Type-B, micro-USB
USB 3.1 Gen 2 10 Gbps SuperSpeed+ USB 10 Gbps USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, Type-C
USB 3.0 5 Gbps SuperSpeed USB USB 3.1 Gen 1, USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, Type-C, Type-B, micro-USB




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