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USB4: Advantages and Disadvantages

usb4 usb data transfer thunderbolt connectivity

This page covers the advantages and disadvantages of USB4, along with its basics. It mentions the benefits and drawbacks of USB4.

What is USB4? (Introduction)

The USB Promoter Group recently published the USB4 specifications in August 2019. It succeeds the previous USB version series 3.2, aiming to improve transfer speeds. Furthermore, it’s compatible with Thunderbolt 3.

The connector shape is different, requiring a hub or appropriate adapter to interface with previous versions of USB cables.

USB4 cable

Key features of USB4 include:

  • Two-lane operation using USB Type-C cables
  • Maximum speed up to 40 Gbps using 40 Gbps certified cables
  • Multiple data & display protocols to efficiently share total bandwidth over the bus
  • USB4 is backward compatible with USB 3.2, USB 2.0, and Thunderbolt 3

Benefits or Advantages of USB4

Following are the benefits of USB4:

  • High Speed: Offers speeds up to 40 Gbps with two-lane cables, equivalent to Thunderbolt 3.
  • Thunderbolt Compatibility: Compatibility with Thunderbolt is optional, so some USB4 devices will be compatible with Thunderbolt 3.0 based on manufacturer implementations.
  • Dynamic Bandwidth Allocation: Bandwidth allocation is dynamic and shared as needed. For example, if you’re transferring data and video simultaneously, and video requires 20% of the bandwidth, the remaining 80% is allocated for data transfer. If video needs 10 Gbps, then 30 Gbps is available for data transfer.
  • Multiple Speed Levels: Supports three speed levels: 10 Gbps, 20 Gbps, and 40 Gbps. This saves power by using appropriate speeds based on the connected device. For example, smartphones and Chromebooks can use lower speeds, while laptops utilize higher speeds.
  • Backward Compatibility: USB4 is backward compatible with USB 3.2, USB 3.1, USB 3.0, and USB 2.0 devices/ports.
  • Power Delivery (USB PD): All USB4 devices support the USB PD standard for carrying electricity to high-power devices. This allows for higher wattages and better power management.

Drawbacks or Disadvantages of USB4

Following are the drawbacks of USB4:

  • Type-C Connector Required: Requires a Type-C connector. Users might need to purchase a hub or adapter to interface with other USB type devices, increasing costs.
  • Delayed Availability: USB4 products were not available until 2020, due to development timelines.
  • Higher Manufacturing Cost: USB4 requires more expensive components compared to the USB 3.2 standard, making it more costly to manufacture.