USB4 Version 2.0 Has Potential to Double Data Speeds

A new version of USB4 has the potential to double max data transfer speeds.

The new standard comes from the industry body behind the connector, the USB Promoters Group. On Thursday, the group introduced(Opens in a new window) the USB4 Version 2.0 specification, which operates over a USB Type-C cable and connector. 

The new USB4 standard is designed to boost data transfer speeds up to 80Gbps; it currently tops out at 40Gbps. In addition, the faster rate can be reached through “existing 40 Gbps USB Type-C passive cables,” the group said, although it didn’t explain how this will be achieved. 

Speeds up to 80Gbps can also be reached with “newly defined 80 Gbps USB Type-C active cables,” which are being prepared for the market. Other changes include updating the USB4 standard to align with the latest versions of DisplayPort and PCIe and to “enable USB 3.2 data tunneling to exceed 20 Gbps.”

Importantly, the new standard will also remain backward-compatible with USB4 Version 1.0, USB 3.2, USB 2.0 and Thunderbolt 3. However, the new spec is already receiving criticism(Opens in a new window) online for its decision to name it the clunky term USB4 Version 2.0, which doesn’t exactly make it easy to understand the difference. 

It also doesn’t help that the original USB4 Version 1.0 already comes in two flavors: One that supports the max 40Gbps speeds and the other that only supports 20Gbps speeds.

However, the USB Promoters Group noted: “Branding and marketing guidelines will be updated in the future to include USB 80Gbps both for identifying certified products and certified cables.” So it seems like future branding will focus less on the USB4 name, and more on the 80Gbps number on product logos.

The USB Promoters Group plans on publishing the exact specs for USB4 Version 2.0 ahead of a planned meeting in November.