Intel is showcasing early prototypes of its next-generation Thunderbolt 4, compliant with the USB4 v2 specification, delivering the ultimate display experience for content creators and gamers.

Intel announced on the 20th that it has demonstrated an early prototype of the next-generation Thunderbolt™.

This announcement is in line with the USB4 v2 specification released by the USB Promoter Group.

Intel's new next-generation Thunderbolt delivers bidirectional bandwidth of 80 gigabits per second (Gbps) and supports up to 120 Gbps for the ultimate display experience, meeting the growing demands of content creators and gamers.

It also provides compatibility with previous Thunderbolt and USB versions.

“Intel has consistently pioneered and led the way in wired connectivity solutions, and Thunderbolt has become a mainstream port for laptops, having been integrated into three generations of Intel mobile CPUs,” said Jason Ziller, general manager of the Client Connectivity Division at Intel. “We are excited to once again lead the industry with the next-generation of Thunderbolt technology based on the newly announced USB4 v2 specification from the USB Promoter Group.”

The Thunderbolt prototype unveiled this time is the next generation Thunderbolt.It marks a major milestone in the Bolt's journey to commercialization.

Content creators and gamers are demanding more bandwidth to power higher-resolution displays, lower latency screens, and transfer or backup large video and data files.

The next-generation Thunderbolt products will deliver three times the performance of existing Thunderbolt™4 products, enabling more efficient and immersive content creation and gaming experiences.

In addition to supporting the latest version of USB4, the next-generation Thunderbolt will provide twice the bandwidth of Thunderbolt 4 at 80 Gbps, and up to three times the bandwidth for video-intensive applications at 120 Gbps.

It also supports the newly released DisplayPort 2.1 for the best display experience, doubling PCI Express data throughput for improved storage and external graphics speeds.

New signaling technology allows it to work with existing passive cables up to 1m, is backward compatible with Thunderbolt, USB, and DisplayPort, and supports Intel's activation and certification program.

Driven by a commitment to making Thunderbolt accessible to all users, Intel donated the Thunderbolt protocol specification to the USB Promoter Group in 2019, which served as the cornerstone for the subsequent development of USB4. As an industry leader, Intel has been working to elevate USB4 performance to the next level.

Intel has long been an industry leader in I/O innovation. Intel works closely with PC, accessory, and cable partners to deliver complete, state-of-the-art wired connectivity solutions through dedicated activation and testing programs.

All Thunderbolt products undergo rigorous certification testing, and upon passing, you can use the Thunderbolt name and logo royalty-free on your devices or marketing.

To achieve this, the Thunderbolt logo is designed to be a simple and easily recognizable symbol that people recognize it as the best wired connection solution for PCs and accessories.

The official brand name, features, and functionality of the next-generation Thunderbolt will be revealed in 2023.