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Thunderbolt vs USB-C

Thunderbolt vs USB-C

One connector to confuse us all!

Leander Kahney
July 21, 2025

What’s the best thing to happen in cables for decades? Why, of course, it’s the USB-C connector!

You gotta the simple, rugged design, and that the connector is reversible — it’s impossible to plug in the wrong way.

I won’t even consider buying a new gadget unless it’s got USB-C: No more mini-USB for me. These days that’s not so difficult. USB-C is now basically the standard connector for all electronics, thanks to the EU.

But not everything is perfect in USB-C land. For one thing, USB-C shares the same connector design as Thunderbolt, a rival standard from Intel.

USB-C and Thunderbolt may look the same, but under the hood, they’re quite different. And after a slow start, Thunderbolt 5 is starting to become more mainstream. Apple has built it into the latest Macs (the M4 mini, Studio and MacBook Pros), and it’ll be coming to more Apple devices this year.

It’s handy to know, then, what exactly is the difference between Thunderbolt and USB-C — if you weren’t clued in, you might be surprised.

Also in today’s newsletter:

Good news for Apple iCloud users: The UK government is reportedly backing down on demands for an iCloud back door.
The best stylus for your iPad is down to its lowest price to date.
It’s official: The much-anticipated season 4 of Ted Lasso just started filming — but not in London!
Face ID on iPad is great, but there’s long been a nagging problem: It’s not available in landscape. Apple’s about to change that.
If you’ve ever wanted a Severance keyboard, now’s your chance. You can reserve one for just $10.
I like the clever design of these new solar-powered security cameras.
Today’s the day in Apple history that the iBook debuted, kicking off the WiFi revolution. A copyeditor at Wired News said it looked like a toilet seat, and a meme was born.
If you keep running out of storage space and and think you have problems, see the first X post below!

— Leander Kahney, EIC.

What's the difference between USB-C and Thunderbolt?

What's the difference between USB-C vs Thunderbolt? Apple devices mix both connectors, so it's handy to know the differences.

UK does U-turn on secret backdoor into iPhone accounts

The United Kingdom government reportedly had to give up its demand for a backdoor into encrypted Apple iCloud accounts.

iOS 18.6 and macOS Sequoia 15.6 take a big step toward release

Release candidates iOS 18.6 and macOS Sequoia 15.6 went to developers on Monday. Expect these to leave beta testing next week.

^{A message from the Cult of Mac Deals team}

Deal drops Apple Pencil Pro back to its lowest price

Want the best iPad stylus on the market? This Apple Pencil Pro deal knocks 23% off the regular price — while it lasts.

M5 iPad Pro might tackle Face ID’s biggest weakness

Apple will reportedly add a second portrait camera to the iPad Pro refresh this year, enabling Face ID to work in portrait orientation.

Severance fans can now reserve Lumon's iconic MDR keyboard

Here's your chance to lay out $10 to reserve the "Severance" MDR Dasher Keyboard from Atomic Keyboards. Just remember, there's no Escape key.

^{A message from}^{the Cult of Mac Deals team}

Protect up to 10 devices with a discounted lifetime license to FastestVPN

Keep your personal data private with a FastestVPN 10-device lifetime license for $31.97. That's a whopping 88% off the $360 MSRP.

Ted Lasso season 4 begins filming with returning stars and new cast additions

No more wishful thinking. Concrete evidence suggests a fourth season of a certain beloved Apple TV+ soccer comedy may actually happen.

Apple Sports app kicks up soccer coverage and lands in Mexico

With a new software update, the Apple Sports app adds FA soccer coverage and debuts in Mexico for La Liga fans and others.

Cool new security camera's solar panel tracks the sun

The new Baseus Security S2 Outdoor Camera 4K follows the sun's path to stay charged (plus there's a budget-friendly option).

Today in Apple history: iBook ushers in a Wi-Fi revolution

On July 21, 1999, Apple debuted the iBook, a colorful laptop that resembled the iMac G3 and helped introduce the world to Wi-Fi.

Try these brilliant MacBook mounting and storage tips [Setups]

Laptops are crucial to many setups, but they take up space. Try these clever MacBook storage and mounting tips.

Tweets of the day

System of a Down's Serj Tankian shares picture of his iMac's storage statistics (2025)
— crazy ass moments in nu metal history (@numetal_moment)
8:52 PM • Jul 20, 2025

Dark or clear icons? Can’t decide
— Ian Zelbo (@ianzelbo)
5:25 PM • Jul 20, 2025

#TedLasso Season 4 has begun filming in Kansas City!
— TV+Updates (@TVPlusUpdates)
9:02 PM • Jul 20, 2025

Wallpaper of the day

This could be wallpaper.
— The Figen (@TheFigen_)
3:23 PM • Jul 21, 2025

One more thing ...

❝

The things you most regret in life are things you didn't do. What you really regret was never asking that girl to dance. In business, if I knew earlier what I know now, I'd have probably done some things a lot better than I did, but I also would've probably done some other things a lot worse. But so what? It's more important to be engaged in the present.

— Steve Jobs, 1998.

Today’s poll

How pumped are you about Season 4 of 'Ted Lasso'?

Results from last Friday’s poll: Anyone watch the 'CultCast'? What do you think?

Subscribe to The Weekender — Get the week's best Apple news, reviews and how-tos from Cult of Mac, every Saturday morning. Our readers say: "Thank you guys for always posting cool stuff" -- Vaughn Nevins. "Very informative" -- Kenly Xavier.

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