On average there are at least three billion USB ports shipped every year, making it one of the most popular types of connection technology in the world. Virtually every computer and smartphone contains a USB port.
USB 3.1 has been the leading USB standard for a few years now, but it is backward compatible with its predecessor USB 2.0. However, a new version has been revealed that could shake the computer technology world and increase speeds like never before.
The USB 3.2 is expected to be up to double current USB speeds when compared to the current USB technology. The current USB is the 3.1, which runs at the same speed as the USB 3.0, much to the disappointment of technology buffs across the nation.
The USB 3.1 transfers data at a speed of 10 gigabits per second using two lanes, while the USB 3.2 tech aims to double that to 20 gigabits per second, with the same two lane technology.
Unfortunately, however, the devices you’re using will have to support the newest USB hardware and come with the modern connectors, or the USB-C. As such, there is a lot of focus at pushing the industry to update its hardware.
The plus side, however, is that once these upgrades do come out, users won’t need to get newer cables. The USB-C is designed to eventually work with higher-speeds. Making them a future-friendly option for electronics owners.
“A USB 3.2 host connected to a USB 3.2 storage device will now be capable of realizing over 2 GB/sec data transfer performance over an existing USB Type-C cable that is certified for SuperSpeed USB 10 Gbps,” explained the USB Promoter Group.
The Chairman of the USB Promoter Group, Brad Saunders, added further explanation: “When we introduced USB Type-C to the market, we intended to assure that USB Type-C cables and connectors certified for SuperSpeed USB or SuperSpeed USB 10Gbps would, as produced, support higher performance USB as newer generations of USB 3.0 were developed.”
The final benefit of this technology is that, like the USB 3.0, it will work with the previous generations of the technology.