Thunderbolt 5 vs Thunderbolt 4 — everything you need to know

Thunderbolt 5 vs Thunderbolt 4 -- USB Type-C continues to be used.

As a connectivity technology, Thunderbolt is deeply associated with Apple, due to its usage in Macs and then, later, the iPad Pro. Many of its products now support Thunderbolt 4, with it providing massive amounts of bandwidth for data transfers, as well as handling charging and even video duties.

Just like many other standards in the tech world, Thunderbolt is iteratively upgraded over time with new features. While the world is on Thunderbolt 4 for the moment, Thunderbolt 5 is on the way, and promises to make big changes to what it can offer to users.

Intel previewed Thunderbolt 5 as an early prototype in October 2022, to demonstrate the speed benefits for file transfers among other items. By September 2023, Intel formally launched the technology, with expectations that hardware released in 2024 will use it.

Apple is not necessarily going to jump to adopt Thunderbolt 5 in its hardware in the short term. However, it is expected to incorporate the technology down the road at some point.

This is what differences users can expect to see when Apple does shift from Thunderbolt 4 to Thunderbolt 5.

Thunderbolt 4 versus Thunderbolt 5 - Main specifications

Thunderbolt 4 versus Thunderbolt 5 - Bandwidth

Thunderbolt 4, and Thunderbolt 3 before it, offered users the promise of high-speed data transfers. With 40Gb/s transfers, it allowed up users to easily shift files to and from external drives, making it attractive to content creators.

For Thunderbolt 5, the speed has gone up considerably, thanks to Intel's use of three-level Pulse Amplitude Modulation (PAM-3) signaling system and by the adoption of PCI-E 4 addressing rather than PCI-E 3.

In short, this can mean up to 80 gigabits per second of bi-directional bandwidth can be available to use, double that of Thunderbolt 3 and Thunderbolt 4. This also technically supports the USB 4 2.0 80Gb/s specification as well.

However, it can offer up to 120 gigabits of bandwidth when used asynchronously. That is, it could offer a 120Gbps bandwidth pipe in one direction, and a 40Gbps feed in the other.

This asynchronous behavior isn't for normal data transfers, though. Instead, it's intended for use with video, expanding the video capabilities of the connection.

Intel also doubled the PCI Express data throughput using PCI Express Gen 4 x4, allowing for faster storage and external graphics usage.

Thunderbolt 4 versus Thunderbolt 5 - Video

Another part of Thunderbolt's utility is for video, since it can be used to handle video for multiple monitors. Thunderbolt includes DisplayPort 2.0 support, thanks to its USB 4 compliance, so it can run displays.

Currently, Thunderbolt 4 can manage a maximum of two 4K monitors, or in some configurations, a single 8K display. Due to limitations in bandwidth, users have to trade off between resolution and refresh rate, meaning they can be limited to only 60Hz when using two 4K screens.

Under Thunderbolt 5, the extra available bandwidth and support for DisplayPort 2.1 makes it far more capable of running more displays.

For example, three 4K-resolution displays can be run at 144Hz apiece. There's also support for multiple 8K displays to be run at the same time, and even the potential to reach 540Hz for a single display.

Thunderbolt 4 versus Thunderbolt 5 - Power

Thunderbolt cables can be used to deliver power between devices as well as data and video, and Thunderbolt 5 is no different.

Thunderbolt 4 could support up to 100W for charging devices. Under Thunderbolt 5, that limit goes up to 240W through a single cable.

However, you may not necessarily benefit from all of that 240W capability all the time.

Thunderbolt 4's standard included mandatory support by hardware for 100W charging. Thunderbolt 5 has a higher mandatory rate of 140W, with the 240W capable under the right combination of hardware and cables.

Thunderbolt 4 versus Thunderbolt 5 - Compatibility

Like USB, Thunderbolt offers backward compatibility with earlier versions, and even with USB itself.

Naturally, Thunderbolt 5 hardware will work with Thunderbolt 4 devices, running based on Thunderbolt 4 standards. You will not be able to run a Thunderbolt 4 device and benefit from the higher bandwidth of Thunderbolt 5, for example.

As Thunderbolt 5 is build on top of USB 4 2.0 as well as DisplayPort 2.1 and PCI Express Gen 4, it will work with hardware using those technologies, and earlier versions too.

Thunderbolt 4 was also compliant with the USB4 specification.

Thunderbolt 4 versus Thunderbolt 5 - Cables and labels

One area that could be a problem is an important one: cables.

So far, it is known that Thunderbolt 5 will work with existing passive cables used for Thunderbolt 4, at a length of up to 3.3 feet. Also, cables made to support USB4 will work, because of the direct cross-compatibility.

Beyond that, there's surprisingly little information published about cable compatibility, but it could become an issue, for similar reasons encountered under Thunderbolt 4. This chiefly includes labeling.

You can tell the difference between a Thunderbolt and USB-C cable, simply by spotting the little lightning bolt image. Determining whether that Thunderbolt cable is for 4 or 5 depends on if you see a 4 or 5 near that symbol.

The problems here include how not every manufacturer puts that number on the cable. Then there's the passive 3.3-foot Thunderbolt 4 cables that will work properly with Thunderbolt 5, but won't be labeled as such.

We have discussed the trials and tribulations of securing a Thunderbolt 4 cable in the past, but unless there's a significant change in how cables are labeled, it will still be a headache for all involved.

Thunderbolt 4 versus Thunderbolt 5 - Faster, more power, maybe soon

For end users, Thunderbolt 5 offers significant improvements in terms of data throughput and power. More is usually better when it comes to tech standards.

The flexibility in how Thunderbolt 5 offers its bandwidth is key to its video capabilities. By shifting to an asynchronous connection, users can still enjoy data throughput at roughly Thunderbolt 4 speeds, but with significantly better video options.

Add in the usual backwards compatibility, and there's little for users to complain about.

That said, there's no guarantee that Apple will incorporate it in its hardware releases soon. The first real potential sighting could be WWDC if Apple introduces new pro-grade Macs, since creative industry users will want access to high-performance options.

Thunderbolt 5 is certainly a bleeding-edge standard, especially when put against the previous version. But as Thunderbolt 4 already offers a lot to consumers, the move to Thunderbolt 5 may not necessarily be that beneficial to the mass of users out of the gate.

Apple could well incorporate Thunderbolt 5 support into a future Mac in 2024. But, as Thunderbolt 4 and previous standards have shown, it could be years before the industry embraces it and Thunderbolt 5 becomes a more commonplace connection.