GPMI: China’s Bold Answer to USB4, HDMI & Thunderbolt—Is a New Global Cable Standard Emerging?

GPMI: China’s Bold Answer to USB4, HDMI & Thunderbolt—Is a New Global Cable Standard Emerging?

The tech world is abuzz with the announcement of GPMI—China’s General Purpose Media Interface, a powerful all-in-one cable standard aiming to unify video, data, audio, power, and networking. Developed by the Shenzhen 8K UHD Video Industry Alliance (SUCA)—with members including Huawei, TCL, Hisense, and Skyworth—GPMI could reshape global connectivity standards.

What Is GPMI?

GPMI is not just another cable—it’s a next-generation interface designed to:

1. Deliver up to 192 Gbps bandwidth (GPMI-B),

2. Power devices with up to 480 W,

3. Support 8K@120Hz video,

4. Enable bidirectional audio/video/data transfer,

5. Consolidate everything from networking to device control over a single cable.

GPMI vs USB4, Thunderbolt 5, and HDMI

Let’s break it down:

Feature GPMI‑B USB4 / Thunderbolt 5 HDMI 2.1 / 2.2

Bandwidth: 192 Gbps 80–120 Gbps (TB5) 48 Gbps (HDMI 2.1)
Power Delivery: 480W (GPMI-B), 240W (GPMI-C) 100W–240W None (video-only)
Video Support: 8K@120Hz 8K@60Hz / 4K@240Hz 8K@60Hz / 4K@120Hz
Data + Power + AV – All-in-one (multiport) – (only AV)
Security: ADCP (China’s HDCP alternative with SM4 encryption) HDCP 2.3 / DRM HDCP 2.3
Connectors: USB-C (GPMI-C), proprietary (GPMI-B) USB-C HDMI

GPMI offers a dramatic leap in performance. With double the bandwidth and power of Thunderbolt 5, and a broader feature set than HDMI or DisplayPort, it could be the first cable to truly deliver on the “one cable to rule them all” promise.

Security and Ecosystem Control

GPMI uses ADCP, a secure protocol using China’s national encryption algorithms (SM3/SM4), aiming to replace Western standards like HDCP. This has implications for data sovereignty and content control, aligning with China’s strategy to build self-reliant infrastructure.

What’s Next?

GPMI-C (USB-C connector) is already USB-IF certified.

Commercial deployment is expected late 2025.

Initial rollouts will focus on 8K TVs, gaming PCs, monitors, AR/VR systems, and even automotive applications.

Will the World Adopt GPMI?

While GPMI is a major innovation, global adoption will face hurdles:

Licensing and standards politics

Lack of backward compatibility

Geopolitical pushback from the West

But for local manufacturers and BRICS-aligned markets, GPMI could become the standard of choice, reducing reliance on HDMI Licensing LLC, Intel (Thunderbolt), and the USB Promoter Group.

Conclusion

GPMI is a technical powerhouse. Whether it dethrones, USB4, HDMI, and Thunderbolt globally remains to be seen—but one thing’s clear: the world of cables just got a serious upgrade.