USB4 and Thunderbolt 4 cables differ by certification, not plug type

TL;DR: 9to5Mac reported on June 24, 2026 that USB4 and Thunderbolt 4 cables use the same USB-C connector but can differ in certified capabilities, which affects whether a lower-cost USB4 cable can replace a Thunderbolt 4 cable.

9to5Mac reported on June 24, 2026 that USB4 and Thunderbolt 4 cables share the USB-C connector format, but the connector alone does not identify a cable’s data, power, or display capabilities. The article states that USB-C is a plug and socket form factor rather than a single performance standard.

The report says buyers can overpay for a higher-specification USB-C cable or buy one that does not meet the requirements of their device or use case. The article frames the question as whether a USB4 cable can save money compared with a Thunderbolt 4 cable without losing needed functionality.

The source does not provide a blanket answer in the excerpt, but it states that cable selection depends on matching the cable’s supported standards to the intended application. The article focuses on the practical differences between USB4 and Thunderbolt 4 cables rather than any physical difference in the USB-C connector.

Related questions

• What is the difference between USB-C, USB4, and Thunderbolt 4?
• When does a Thunderbolt 4 cable matter more than a USB4 cable?
• How can buyers verify a USB-C cable’s supported features before purchase?