USB 3.2

When Apple removed all the ports in its new MacBook and replaced them with USB Type-C ports, the world anticipated that we’re moving towards devices with a universal port for everything. However, with different voltage requirements, specifications for data transfer and power, and more make it complicated to ensure that one port will satisfy all needs in any part of the world.

The USB 3.0 Promoter Group, which consists of Apple, HP, Intel, Microsoft, Texas Instruments, and others of its members has announced a new USB Type C specification, the USB 3.2. USB 3.1 or, to be accurate, USB 3.1 Gen 2 Superspeed sports up to 10Gbps. This is made possible by combining two individual 5Gbps lanes. USB 3.2 will now double these two lanes to 10Gbps each, resulting in a whopping 20Gbps transfer speed. Assuming the host and recipient devices are compatible with USB 3.2, even older USB 3.0 cables will see faster speeds of up to 2oGbps. So, even if you don’t upgrade all your tech from USB 3.0 to 3.2, you may see an increase in transfer speeds if the manufacturers start to support it.

It is also worth noting that not every USB Type C cable is capable of transferring these 2 lanes of 10Gbps, so even though different USB Type C cables might look the same, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they are the same. In order for it to support these new transfer speeds, the cable needs to be Superspeed certified.

The USB 3.2 is not expected to be finalised until later this year, which means it’ll probably be a while before we see a standard roll out to devices. The USB Developer Days event is scheduled for September 2017 and a lot of other announcements are anticipated to happen in Vancouver, Canada.