USB-C has won. Since 2024, the connector has been mandatory in the EU for all mobile devices. Smartphones, tablets, laptops, headphones, cameras, power banks. One connector for everything. That was the promise. The reality in 2026: yes, the connector is the same everywhere. But what flows through the cable is more varied than ever.
The Problem: One Connector, Dozens of Protocols
USB-C is a connector format, not a protocol. Completely different things can run over the same physical port:
- USB 2.0: 480 Mbit/s. What most cheap cables and many smartphones deliver. Sufficient for charging and slow data transfer.
- USB 3.2 Gen 1: 5 Gbit/s. The previous standard for external SSDs and hubs.
- USB 3.2 Gen 2: 10 Gbit/s. Faster, but not every cable supports it.
- USB 3.2 Gen 2x2: 20 Gbit/s. Exists in theory, barely supported in practice.
- USB4 v1.0: Up to 40 Gbit/s. Tunnels PCIe and DisplayPort. Backward compatible with Thunderbolt 3.
- USB4 v2.0: Up to 80 Gbit/s (symmetric) or 120 Gbit/s (asymmetric). New since late 2025.
- Thunderbolt 4: 40 Gbit/s. Intel's implementation over USB-C, with stricter minimum requirements than USB4 v1.
- Thunderbolt 5: 80 Gbit/s symmetric, 120 Gbit/s asymmetric (Bandwidth Boost). PCIe Gen4 tunneling. In first devices since early 2026.
On top of that: not every USB-C cable supports every protocol. A USB 2.0 cable has fewer conductors than a USB4 cable. And you cannot tell the difference from the outside.
USB4 v2.0: The Long-Awaited Leap
USB4 v2.0 is the first USB standard that matches Thunderbolt 5: 80 Gbit/s bidirectional, optionally 120 Gbit/s in one direction (useful for displays). Technically, it is based on PAM-3 signaling instead of the previous NRZ encoding, which doubles the data rate without fundamentally changing the physical connection.
What USB4 v2.0 can do:
- Two 4K displays simultaneously or one 8K display at 60 Hz
- External GPUs with full PCIe bandwidth
- External NVMe SSDs at speeds close to the internal SSD
- Power Delivery up to 240 watts (EPR)
Thunderbolt 5: Intel's Premium Counterpart
Thunderbolt 5 delivers the same bandwidth on paper as USB4 v2.0 (80/120 Gbit/s). The difference: Thunderbolt has stricter minimum requirements. Every Thunderbolt 5 port must deliver the full bandwidth. With USB4 v2.0, that is optional.
Thunderbolt 5 also brings PCIe Gen4 tunneling (up to 64 Gbit/s for data), which is particularly relevant for eGPU setups and professional video production. The first devices with Thunderbolt 5 have been available since Q1 2026: Intel Arrow Lake laptops, selected Lenovo ThinkPads, and first docking stations from CalDigit and OWC.
The Cable Question: What to Look For
The biggest practical problem remains the cable. An orientation:
- USB 2.0 cable (thin, flexible): Only charging and slow data. Often included with cheap devices. Unusable for displays and fast SSDs.
- USB 3.2 cable: Up to 10 Gbit/s. Recognizable by the USB SS logo (SuperSpeed). Sufficient for most everyday tasks.
- USB4 / Thunderbolt 3/4 cable: 40 Gbit/s. Passive up to 0.8m, active up to 2m. Often more expensive (25-50 EUR).
- USB4 v2.0 / Thunderbolt 5 cable: 80-120 Gbit/s. Active cables with electronics in the connector. 50-80 EUR. Still few on the market.
The advice: pay attention to the cable, not just the port. A Thunderbolt 5 laptop on a USB 2.0 cable delivers USB 2.0 speed. No error, no bug. Simply the wrong cable.
What Is Actually Improving in 2026
Despite the complexity, there is real progress:
- USB-IF certification logos: New, clearer logos on cables and packaging. Instead of cryptic version numbers: speed ratings in Gbit/s and watts directly on the cable.
- Automatic detection: USB4 and Thunderbolt 5 automatically negotiate the best available connection. No manual switching needed.
- Convergence: USB4 v2.0 and Thunderbolt 5 are so similar that the distinction becomes irrelevant for end users. Intel has announced it will hand over Thunderbolt specifications to the USB-IF.
Conclusion: Better, but Not Perfect
USB-C as a universal connector is a success. That everything from 480 Mbit/s to 120 Gbit/s can run over it is technically impressive and confusing for consumers at the same time. 2026 is getting better: USB4 v2.0 and Thunderbolt 5 are converging, logos are becoming clearer, and most new premium devices support at least USB4.
But the cable chaos will stick around for a few more years. Because every drawer has cables with no markings. And because USB 2.0 cables cost 50 cents and USB4 cables cost 50 euros. Human nature does the rest.
Sources: USB-IF Specifications, Intel Thunderbolt 5 Whitepaper, AnandTech, The Verge.