What are the differences between USB 4 and USB 3?
Sep 04, 2026
The main differences between USB4 and USB 3.0 are as follows:
1. Transmission speed
The maximum speed of USB 3.0 is 5 Gbps.
USB4 can reach up to 40 Gbps, a significant increase in speed.
2. Protocol support
USB 3.0 mainly supports the USB data transmission protocol.
USB4 supports multiple protocols, including USB, Thunderbolt 3, and DisplayPort, offering stronger compatibility.
3. Interface type
USB 3.0 mostly uses the traditional USB-A interface.
USB4 mainly adopts the USB-C interface, supporting both forward and reverse insertion.
4. Function expansion
USB4 supports higher power supply and video output functions, suitable for connecting monitors and high-performance devices.
USB 3.0 has relatively simple functions, mainly used for data transmission and charging.
In summary: USB4 outperforms USB 3.0 in speed, compatibility, and functionality, and is a more advanced interface standard.
