May 6, 2024

Teardown Reveals Why Apple's Thunderbolt 4 Pro Cable Costs $129 [Video]

Posted April 23, 2022 at 3:30am by iClarified · 7026 views
Check out this video teardown of Apple's new Thunderbolt 4 Pro cable by ChargerLab.

It has been a year and a half since Intel announced the Thunderbolt 4. And Apple finally released its Thunderbolt 4 cable after the spring event. It can be divided into 1.8 m and 3 m, and priced at $159 and $129, respectively. The 3 m is still unavailable. So, we got the 1.8 m and took it apart to check why it can be so expensive.

Bill of materials (BOM)
● Intel Thunderbolt ReTimer chip: JHL7040
● E-marker chip: Infineon CYPDC1186
● Step-down chip: MPS
● Diode: ON Semiconductor

ChargerLab discovered that the cable is coaxial with nineteen wires inside. Outside is a woven layer that is dustproof and waterproof. That's followed by black TPE, then a shielding layer, then a tin foil layer, then another shielding layer. Five red wires and a purple wire are used for positive power supply. The PCB in the connector is protected by a brass sleeve and it features an Intel Thunderbolt ReTimer chip for signal reconstruction and signal jitter reduction.

Take look at the video below for the full teardown. ChargerLab says, for creators who need the performance of the cable, it may be the best available. You can purchase it here for $129.