Apple has released the iPhone 15, which introduces a new Thunderbolt 4 cable. Priced at $129, many wonder if it’s worth the cost compared to cheaper options. To uncover the differences, the author used an X-ray CT scanner to examine the engineering of the cables. The Thunderbolt 4 cable offers Thunderbolt 3, Thunderbolt 4, and USB 4 data transfer, as well as DisplayPort video output and up to 100W charging. It is constructed with stainless steel and features strain relief and numerous vias on the PCB. In comparison, cheaper cables like Amazon Basics and NiceTQ offer simpler designs and fewer features. The ATYFUER cable, despite being advertised as a charging cable, has a full set of pins for USB 2.0 data transfer. Overall, the CT scans reveal the intricacies of cable engineering and the potential for clever designs.
https://www.lumafield.com/article/usb-c-cable-charger-head-to-head-comparison-apple-thunderbolt-amazon-basics