USB has been around for decades, and the sheer number of USB and Thunderbolt versions in 2025 can be bewildering. Here’s what you need to know about USB 3, USB 4, Thunderbolt 3, Thunderbolt 4, and Thunderbolt 5.
There are two general families of multi-purpose connections in widespread use today: USB and Thunderbolt. While they are largely quite different, the two have their own benefits as well as shared characteristics, which can be a lot to remember.
If you don’t read any further, here’s your main takeaway: The term “USB-C” by itself doesn’t specify anything for data, charging, or video beyond the physicality of the connector. But, as you might expect, there are a lot of details behind USB 3, USB 4, Thunderbolt 3, Thunderbolt 4, and Thunderbolt 5, and how they pertain to the USB-C connector.
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