Enlarge / The USB-IF nary longer recommends SuperSpeed logos oregon branding for speedy USB ports.

When SuperSpeed USB was announced successful 2007, the branding was a logical differentiator. The word launched with USB 3.0, which brought max information transportation rates from USB 2.0's measly 0.48Gbps each the mode to 5Gbps. But by 2022, determination were 3 versions of SuperSpeed USB successful assorted connector types facing consumers, positive the potentially faster USB4. Looking ahead, USB products volition proceed to connection antithetic show capabilities portion looking the same, but there's astatine slightest 1 happening we tin each hold on: The connection "SuperSpeed" isn't a adjuvant differentiator anymore.

SuperSpeed branding already felt beauteous unremarkable by 2019, when the USB-IF, which makes USB standards, renamed USB 3.0 to USB 3.1 Gen 1; USB 3.1 to USB 3.1 Gen 2, and past USB 3.2 Gen 2; and USB 3.2 to USB 3.2 Gen 2x2. The radical sought to marque things easier for consumers by recommending to vendors that they statement products not by specification sanction but by "SuperSpeed USB" followed by max velocity (USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, for example, would beryllium SuperSpeed USB 20Gbps).

Per updated guidelines and logos that started coming retired this 4th and that you whitethorn spot earlier 2022 ends, arsenic reported by The Verge today, the USB-IF present recommends vendors statement products as, simply, USB 20Gbps (for USB 3.2 Gen 2x2), USB 10Gbps (for USB 3.2 Gen 2), etc. No SuperSpeed necessary.

Enlarge / The USB-IF's USB show logos.

USB4, meanwhile, gets the aforesaid treatment, with the USB-IF recommending USB 40Gbps and USB 20Gbps branding for the spec. When it comes out, USB4 Version 2.0 should beryllium called USB 80Gbps.

"USB4 Version 1.0, USB Version 2.0, USB 3.2, SuperSpeed Plus, Enhanced SuperSpeed, and SuperSpeed+ are defined successful the USB specifications; however, these presumption are not intended to beryllium utilized successful merchandise names, messaging, packaging, oregon immoderate different consumer-facing content," the USB-IF's connection usage guidelines updated successful September work [PDF].

The USB-IF inactive recommends vendors statement USB 2.0, which tin instrumentality the signifier of USB-C, USB-A, USB-B, and more, arsenic "Hi-Speed USB" with nary show indicator. Most products utilizing the USB 2.0 spec are peripherals, similar keyboards and printers, Jeff Ravencraft, USB-IF president and COO, told Ars Technica, truthful the manufacture radical doesn't deliberation consumers volition mistake the tech for being faster than, say, USB 5Gbps. The USB-IF besides feared radical confusing "USB 480Mbps" arsenic being faster than USB 5Gbps, owed to the larger fig (we guess "USB 0.48Gbps" doesn't look truthful pretty).

"Hi-Speed USB has been astir for implicit 20 years and is good established successful the marketplace, truthful we focused our rebranding efforts to 5Gbps and up," the USB-IF spokesperson said.

Recommended USB 1.0 branding, meanwhile, is untouched.

For USB-C cables, the USB-IF present recommends packaging and logos amusement some max data transportation complaint and powerfulness delivery.

Enlarge / The USB-IF's USB-C cablegram logos.

This doesn’t alteration much

The changed recommendations align with what galore vendors had already been doing: listing speeds unsocial without immoderate spec sanction oregon the word SuperSpeed. Some vendors database USB spec names only. With each this successful mind, it's not astonishing to spot the authoritative demise of SuperSpeed branding, particularly with the USB-IF revealing its optional, SuperSpeed-free USB-C logos a twelvemonth ago.

The superior contented astatine the bosom of USB disorder remains. Even arsenic USB-C becomes much ubiquitous and, successful immoderate places, yet required by law, USB-C products tin person a scope of capabilities, including information transportation rates of 0.48–40Gbps.

The USB-IF's guidelines besides don't specify different capabilities, like Intel Thunderbolt support, whether a cable's progressive oregon passive, and PCIe tunneling.

Enlarge / SuperSpeed labels similar this (under the USB-A and USB-C ports) should beryllium nary more.

Scharon Harding

But according to Ravencraft, the emblematic idiosyncratic doesn't truly attraction astir immoderate of those things. The exec told The Verge that user survey groups showed that astir consumers lone attraction astir "the highest information show level the merchandise tin achieve" and "the highest powerfulness level I tin get oregon thrust from this product."

Most radical don't recognize USB branding, messaging, revision control, oregon spec names, helium told The Verge.

Everything’s optional

Despite its efforts to simplify what consumers see, the USB-IF besides can't guarantee wide usage of its optional logos and certification. The USB-IF-certified products database contains 2,500 items erstwhile determination are countless devices, cables, and products utilizing USB.

Ravencraft admitted to Ars that immoderate companies whitethorn presumption the costs associated with getting USB-IF-certified, including passing USB-IF compliance investigating and acquiring a USB-IF trademark licence agreement, arsenic "prohibitive." There are discounts for USB-IF members.

Ravencraft besides suggested that immoderate companies whitethorn forego certification if they cognize they chopped corners to prevention costs and, thus, wouldn't walk compliance testing.

So, the Wild West of USB labeling volition astir apt proceed to immoderate degree, but customers person options, too. Products with USB-IF logos, if available, instantly archer you however overmuch powerfulness transportation and velocity to expect. Whether oregon not that complaint should beryllium considered a ace velocity is up to you.