Apple’s Thunderbolt 4 Pro Cable teardown shows why the accessory is expensive

When Apple announced Mac Studio and Studio Display earlier this year, the company also quietly introduced a new Thunderbolt 4 Pro Cable capable of up to 40Gb/s data transfer and charging up to 100W. While it comes with the high price of $129, a new teardown of the cable shows why the accessory is super expensive.

The teardown was conducted by ChargerLAB, which posted a YouTube video showing all the details and specifications of Apple’s Thunderbolt 4 Pro Cable. The cable taken apart was the 1. 8-meter version, as the 3-meter version (priced at $159) is not yet available in stores.

Apple’s new Thunderbolt cable features a braided design that coils without tangling and makes it more durable. But while it may look like just a regular cable on the outside despite its 5 millimeter diameter, the inside of the cable reveals some interesting details.

As shown by ChargerLAB, the accessory is a coaxial cable with 19 wires inside. The cable is protected by a waterproof and dustproof woven layer. A second layer of protection is provided by thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), which has a thin foil shielding layer.

Among the 19 wires, there are 5 tinned copper wires used for power supply. The video notes that most of the wires are plated with silver and pure copper. It also highlights 2 white plastic-covered wires used for USB 2.0 transmission (the cable is backward compatible with Thunderbolt 3 and regular USB).

There are multiple components inside the connectors. They have a hard-black plastic cover and brass sleeves. An Intel chip is one of the main components. It manages Thunderbolt connections and reduces signal jitter. Each connector has 24 pins, which are all gold plated.

ChargerLAB explains that Apple’s Thunderbolt 4 Pro Cable is very well built with premium materials that make it more durable and less susceptible to interference, not to mention the licensed Intel chip that stabilizes signal transmission. The cable is a great choice for professionals who need to transfer large quantities of data.

You can buy Thunderbolt 4 Pro Cable from the Apple Store, or look for more affordable third-party alternatives at Amazon.