USB-C, also known as USB Type-C, is the future of wired connectivity. With its oblong-shaped, reversible connector, ability to support other technologies, and even more advanced features, USB-C aims to be the universal connector we have been promised.
However, as transfer speed becomes increasingly important, it begs the question: just how fast USB-C can go?
When Was USB-C Launched? Is USB-C Backward Compatible?
The final USB-C specification was released in August 2014 and features a 24-pin reversible connector that can be inserted into a port in any orientation. USB-C’s design allows it to supply more power than previous generations, and it aims to carry and work alongside other connectors such as USB-A, USB-B, HDMI, DisplayPort, and the 3.5mm audio jack.
The USB-C name only refers to the connector type/form factor, not the USB protocol it supports. Therefore, this same connector supports USB 2.0, USB 3.1 Gen 1 (USB 3.0), USB 3.1 Gen 2, USB 3.2 (and its following generations), USB4, and even Thunderbolt 3 and 4.
For a rundown of all USB cable types and generations, read our guide tounderstanding USB cable types and which one to use.
The USB-C connector is only slightly larger than the micro-USB connector and offers a connection that is thin enough for mobile devices and yet powerful enough for laptops and other power-intensive devices.
While the USB-C connector itself isn’t backward compatible, and you can’t plug a USB-C connector into a USB-A port, it is possible to use an adapter to connect your USB-C devices to older USB ports. However, the connection would be limited to the features offered by the USB-A or USB-B port.
USB-C Data Transfer Standards
As mentioned earlier, USB-C currently supports different protocols and is likely to include several more. These protocols usually support data transfer rates ranging from 480Mbps to 40Gbps. Even higher speeds are theoretically possible but cannot be tapped into just yet. Regardless, this makes it possible to have two USB-C cables that look similar yet transfer data at vastly different rates.
*:USB 3.0 launched in 2008, then was renamed USB 3.1 Gen 1 in 2013.
What Is the Maximum Theoretical Data Transfer Limit For USB-C?
USB-C receptacles and plugs can transfer data at ridiculously fast speeds. USB4 is projected to be able to transfer data at 80 Gbps and 120 Gbps, although no product in the market (to the best of our knowledge) currently supports it. Also, Thunderbolt 5 (if it’s called that; it’s unreleased at the time of writing) will likely support similar speeds.
At the moment, though, the highest data transfer rate you can get out of a USB-C connection over both USB4 and Thunderbolt 4 protocols is 40 Gbps, and it is available on several Apple, Intel, and AMD laptops that came out after 2020.
It is worth noting that these speeds are purely theoretical. Therefore, they will most likely vary significantly during actual, day-to-day use. In the real world, USB devices have been found to exceed and also go below these benchmarks from time to time.
Some factors that can influence USB transfer speeds include cable length, cable quality, device compatibility (a USB 2.0 to USB 3.2 connection will operate at USB 2.0 speeds), interference, and the type of file being sent. The other consideration is the speed of the drive you’re using. You’ll experience much faster data transfers using a modern PCIe SSD versus an older HDD, no matter the USB standard used.
There are several ways tospeed up USB data transfer on Windowsthat can come in handy whenever you are experiencing very slow transfer speeds.
USB-C: The Lightning-Fast Connector of the Future
USB standards are becoming superfast with every release. It likely won’t matter which USB version you have in the near future, as you will be assured rocket speeds regardless. Most users will not be able to take advantage of these speeds, but it is nice to know a USB connection can go incredibly fast when the situation requires it.
USB speeds have skyrocketed since the interface’s inception, and we may have only begun to scratch the surface.
