The new superfast version of USB 4 is on its way, and you won’t even need a new cable to use the technology. The USB Promoter Group has announced that the next generation USB 2.0 standard is “pending release”. And the bandwidth of existing USB 4 connectors will double from 40 Gbps to 80 Gbps.
Oddly enough, the new standard is also backward compatible with previous USB 4 cables, meaning that existing USB-C cables capable of 40Gbps will also get faster speeds when the new standard becomes available.
“Key characteristics of the updated USB4 solution include: Up to 80 Gbps operation, based on a new physical layer architecture, using existing 40 Gbps USB Type-C passive cables and newly-defined 80 Gbps USB Type-C active cables,” the press release says.
The USB Promoter Group didn’t explain how it works, but a spokesperson told The Verge that it was “a requirement when the new specification was developed and the specifics as to how 80Gbps signaling is accomplished will be disclosed once the final specification is released.”
It’s still unclear when the new standard will be released. In its press release, the USB Promoter Group stated that the “update is specifically targeted to developers at this time” so other ordinary users won’t be able to get computers with the new superfast connector right away.
