USB 3.1 Gen 1
USB 3.1 Gen 1 is a rebranding of the original USB 3.0 specification, introduced in 2013 by the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) to unify the naming conventions of USB standards. It retains all the features of USB 3.0, including a maximum data transfer rate of 5 Gbps, marketed as “SuperSpeed USB.” The rebranding aimed to simplify the identification of USB versions for consumers while maintaining backward compatibility with older USB standards like USB 2.0.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB_3.0
Despite the renaming, USB 3.1 Gen 1 does not offer performance improvements over USB 3.0 but shares its enhanced power delivery capabilities, allowing up to 900mA of current at 5V. This makes it suitable for powering external hard drives, flash storage, and peripherals. The standard also supports full-duplex data transmission, ensuring efficient communication between devices, and remains widely used in consumer electronics and computing systems.
https://www.usb.org/document-library/usb-31-specification-released-july-2013
Devices featuring USB 3.1 Gen 1 are fully interoperable with later USB standards, including USB 3.1 Gen 2 and USB 3.2. This backward and forward compatibility ensures broad adoption across a wide range of devices, such as external SSDs, keyboards, and docking stations. While newer USB generations provide higher speeds, USB 3.1 Gen 1 continues to serve as a reliable and cost-effective solution for general-purpose data transfer and connectivity.