# item.guide
Side-by-Side Comparison USB

USB 3.2 Gen 1 vs. USB 3.2 Gen 2x2

Comparing 2 standards across 7 specifications. 7 key differences identified.

Comparing:
USB 3.2 Gen 1
USB 3.2 Gen 2x2
USB 3.2 Gen 1 →

Originally released as USB 3.0 in November 2008, this 5 Gbit/s "SuperSpeed" tier was retroactively renamed USB 3.2 Gen 1x1 when the USB 3.2 specification arrived in 2017 -- the first step in a naming scheme many found more confusing than clarifying, since the underlying hardware and speed never actually changed.

View full USB 3.2 Gen 1 spec sheet →
USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 →

USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, part of the USB 3.2 specification released in September 2017, is the only tier in the 3.2 family that's genuinely new hardware rather than a renamed predecessor -- it doubles Gen 2's 10 Gbit/s by running two lanes simultaneously, reaching 20 Gbit/s, but only over USB-C connectors and cables wired for it.

View full USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 spec sheet →

Specification Comparison Table

7 Parameters
Parameter / Spec
USB 3.2 Gen 1
USB 3.2 Gen 2x2
Max Bandwidth / Data Rate
5 Gbit/s 20 (2 lanes x 10 Gbit/s each) Gbit/s
Original Name
USB 3.0 (November 2008) —
Current Name
USB 3.2 Gen 1x1 (also marketed as "USB 5Gbps") —
Introduced
SuperSpeed signaling, full-duplex architecture, 9-pin USB-A/B connectors —
Released
— September 2017
Connector Required
— USB-C only (dual-lane wiring not present in USB-A/B)
Marketing Name
— USB 20Gbps

Other Alternatives to Compare

Compare USB 3.2 Gen 1 vs. Micro-USB → Compare USB 3.2 Gen 1 vs. Mini-USB → Compare USB 3.2 Gen 1 vs. USB 1.1 → Compare USB 3.2 Gen 1 vs. USB 2.0 → Compare USB 3.2 Gen 1 vs. USB 3.2 Gen 2 → Compare USB 3.2 Gen 1 vs. USB Power Delivery → Compare USB 3.2 Gen 1 vs. USB-A → Compare USB 3.2 Gen 1 vs. USB-B → Compare USB 3.2 Gen 1 vs. USB-C → Compare USB 3.2 Gen 1 vs. USB4 → Compare USB 3.2 Gen 1 vs. USB4 2.0 →