If you care about your USB cables in terms of speed, then the new USB 3.2 spec released by the USB 3.0 Promoter Group should be getting you exited with the new spec outlining how multi-lane operations will work going forward.
The spec allows compatible devices and cables to double the bandwidth effectively making existing USB Type-C cables perform even better. Multi-lane operation under the spec allows for either two lanes of 5Gbps or two lanes of 10Gbps operating simultaneously. This, says the USB Promoter Group will enable ‘platform developers to continue advancing USB products to fit their customers needs by effectively doubling the performance across existing cables’.
The original USB-C specification was actually set to enable multi-lane operation allowing for scalability in the future – and the future is now. This does seem to apply only to certified USB-C cables however, with hosts needing an update to be compatible.
Brad Saunders, USB 3.0 Promoter Group Chairman said in the announcement
When we introduced USB Type-C to the market, we intended to assure that USB Type-C cables and connectors certified for SuperSpeed USB or SuperSpeed USB 10 Gbps would, as produced, support higher performance USB as newer generations of USB 3.0 were developed. The USB 3.2 update delivers the next level of performance.
This is just a specification announcement though it is in the final draft stage, so it will need to be finalised and adopted before you’ll see any tangible results. The USB Promoter group hopes to announce a finalised specification in September at the USB Developer Days North America event.
