Comparison of USB 3.1 / USB 3.2 / USB4 how to choose USB3.1,USB3.2,USB4

June/09/2025

1. Common Features

Backward Compatibility: All support USB 2.0 and legacy protocols.
High-Speed Transmission: Each provides faster transfer speeds compared to USB 2.0.
Type-C Availability: All support the USB Type-C connector.
Power Delivery Support: All can support USB PD (mandatory only for USB4).

2. Key Differences

Feature	USB 3.1	USB 3.2	USB4
Release Year	2013	2017	2019
Max Speed	10 Gbps (Gen 2x1)	20 Gbps (Gen 2x2)	40 Gbps (Gen 3x2)
Connector Type	Type-A / Type-C	Type-A / Type-C	Type-C only
Backward Compatibility	USB 2.0, 3.0	USB 2.0, 3.0, 3.1	USB 2.0, 3.x, Thunderbolt 3
Thunderbolt Support	❌ No	❌ No	✅ Optional support
Multi-Protocol Support	❌ No	❌ No	✅ Yes (DisplayPort, PCIe, etc.)
USB PD Requirement	Optional	Optional	✅ Mandatory

3. Advantages Summary

Advantages of USB 3.1:

Faster than USB 3.0 (10 Gbps);
Backward compatible and supports traditional Type-A devices.

Advantages of USB 3.2:

Offers 20 Gbps with dual-lane Gen 2x2;
Flexible configuration to fit various hardware designs.

Advantages of USB4:

Ultra-high speed (up to 40 Gbps);
Supports Thunderbolt 3, combining data, video, and power in one cable;
Requires USB PD, enabling efficient power delivery;
Best suited for modern laptops, docking stations, high-resolution displays, and multitasking environments.

Shenzhen Witarea Technology Co., Ltd. specializes in the design and production of high-performance connectivity solutions. We offer a wide range of USB 3.1, USB 3.2, and USB4 series connectors and cable assemblies for your design and application needs. Please contact us for quotations, samples, and ordering support.

Categories

Archives