USB 4.0 or USB4 is the latest version of the Universal Serial Bus (USB) standard, which has been available since 2021. This version surpasses USB 3.0, the most popular on the market, and promises faster data transmission speeds.
In this article, we'll explain what USB 4.0 is and its main differences with previous versions.
What is USB 4.0?
USB 4.0 is the fourth generation of USB, a standard for cables and connectors that was officially introduced as USB in 1996 to connect computers and other devices. It has two key functions: power transfer, which allows you to charge and power devices, and data transfer.
Over time, the initial technology has been improved, evolving from USB 2.0, USB 3.0, and now USB 4.0, which can be distinguished by its distinctive lightning bolt. Therefore, when purchasing a device, keeping this information in mind will help you determine what standard your device supports.
USB 4.0 is reversible Type-C , meaning it is compatible with the smallest connectors on the market.
When we talk about a Type-C connector, we're referring to a small-format connector whose main purpose is to connect cables and USB charging pins. However, when we talk about a Type-C connector, we're not referring to the technology behind it—that is, the transfer speed it supports.
For example, there are Type C connectors with USB 3.0 technology and now Type C connectors with 4.0 technology.
Similarly, there are other types of connectors on the market, such as type A, which are the largest on the market, type B, which is used by scanners and printers, and microUSB, which is used by most smartphones.
What is the difference between USB 4.0 and USB 3.0?
The main difference is in the type of data transmission speed it supports.
Here we will see a comparison table between USB 4.0 and 3.0
| Feature | USB 3.0 (and variants) | USB 4.0 |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer speed | Maximum 5 Gbps (USB 3.0), up to 20 Gbps on USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 | Up to 40 Gbps on USB 4 Gen 3x2 (varies by implementation) |
| Connector | Often USB-A and USB-B (depending on the version) | Exclusively USB-C (reversible and more compact) |
| Thunderbolt support | Not compatible with Thunderbolt | Compatible with Thunderbolt 3 and Thunderbolt 4 (optional) |
| Power delivery | Up to 5 V and 900 mA (4.5 W) on USB 3.0, up to 20 V and 5 A (100 W) on USB 3.2 | Up to 48V 5A (240W) on USB4, with improved power management |
| Resource allocation | Limited, with possible bottlenecks if data and video are transmitted simultaneously | Dynamic allocation of bandwidth for video and data, optimizing resources as needed |
| Backward compatibility | Backward compatible with USB 2.0 and 3.0 | Backward compatible with (USB 3.x, USB 2.0) and Thunderbolt 3 devices |
| Common applications | Data transfer, peripherals, and external storage | Ideal for high-demand tasks such as video editing, 4K/8K gaming, and professional workstations |
The USB 4.0 standard has a transfer rate of up to 40 Gbit/s (5 Gigabytes), doubling its predecessor, which only had 20 Gbit/s (2.5 Gigabytes). This puts it on par with Thunderbolt 3, the highest-speed data interface that existed until then, with a data transfer rate of 40 Gbit/s (5 Gigabytes).
The great news for users is that USB 4.0 is backwards compatible with all previous USB devices (although the technology you'll be able to use depends on the device you have) and is also compatible with Thunderbolt 3.
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