Technology Upgrade: Popularization of USB4 / PD3.1 / Thunderbolt 4 (Q2 2026)
In Q2 2026, driven by the EU mandatory USB-C regulation and USB-IF standardization, USB4, PD3.1 and Thunderbolt 4 have entered the full popularization stage. PD3.1 (240W) has become a standard configuration for laptops, USB4 (40Gbps) is widely adopted by mainstream devices, Thunderbolt 4 targets high-end certified products, while USB4 v2 and Thunderbolt 5 start to gain market share.
1. Key Upgrades of Core Standards
1. PD3.1 (USB Power Delivery 3.1)
Power upgrade: Increased from 100W of PD3.0 to 240W (EPR Extended Power Range), capable of powering gaming laptops and workstations directly.
Unified interface: USB-C provides power for mobile phones, tablets, laptops and monitors, eliminating various types of chargers.
Popularization in Q2 2026: The EU mandates USB-C and 240W PD3.1, and mainstream brands have fully adopted the new standard.
2. USB4 (Including v2)
Bandwidth: USB4 1.0 reaches 40Gbps; USB4 v2 delivers 80Gbps, and up to 120Gbps in one-way asymmetric mode.
Protocol tunneling: Natively supports USB3, video output and high-speed peripheral channels, transmitting data, video and power via a single cable.
Differentiation: USB4 is a flexible standard with optional 20Gbps/40Gbps and single/dual 4K output. Thunderbolt 4 is a certified version of USB4.
3. Thunderbolt 4
Mandatory full 40Gbps bandwidth for all certified devices.
Video output: Supports dual 4K@60Hz or single 8K display by default.
Power supply: Delivers up to 100W PD charging for host devices and 15W power for downstream peripherals.
High-speed channel: Minimum 32Gbps channel for external graphics docks and high-speed SSDs.
Security: Built-in DMA protection and smart device wake-up, meeting enterprise-level requirements.
2. Driving Factors & Market Status in Q2 2026
1. Policy Drive (EU Regulation)
Starting from Q2 2026, laptops, tablets, smartphones and handheld consoles sold in the EU must be equipped with USB-C and comply with basic PD3.1 and USB4 specifications.
USB-IF launched new simplified logos to replace the old and confusing naming rules.
2. Device Popularity (Q2 2026)
Laptops: 90% of new models adopt 40Gbps USB4, and 60% pass Thunderbolt 4 certification. All gaming laptops are equipped with 240W PD3.1.
Desktops & Motherboards: Mid-to-high-end motherboards come with built-in USB4/Thunderbolt 4, and Thunderbolt 3 is gradually phased out.
Peripherals: Docking stations, enclosures and professional monitors are fully upgraded to USB4/Thunderbolt 4. USB3.2 Gen2 (10Gbps) is only used for entry-level products.
Cables: USB-C 2.1 cables supporting 240W & 40Gbps become mainstream. The price of 2m full-speed Thunderbolt 4 cables drops by 50%.
3. Core Differences Between USB4 and Thunderbolt 4
| Items | USB4 (40Gbps) | Thunderbolt 4 (Certified) |
|---|---|---|
| Bandwidth | Optional 20Gbps / 40Gbps | Mandatory full 40Gbps |
| Video Output | Optional single 4K | Mandatory dual 4K@60Hz |
| High-speed Channel | Optional 16Gbps / 32Gbps | Mandatory 32Gbps |
| Power Supply | Max 100W PD3.0 | Mandatory 100W PD Charging |
| Security | DMA protection optional | DMA protection & wake-up mandatory |
| Cost & Price | Lower, no certification fee | Higher, includes Intel certification cost |
| Application Scenarios | Mainstream ultrabooks, common peripherals | High-end laptops, graphics docks, professional displays |
4. Selection Recommendations for Q2 2026
General users: Choose USB4 40Gbps + PD3.1 140W for balanced performance and cost.
Creative & professional users: Prioritize Thunderbolt 4 certified devices for better stability and expandability.
Gaming laptop users: Select products supporting PD3.1 240W.
Cable selection: Use USB-C 2.1 cables with E-Marker chip.
