What is the maximum data transfer speed for USB 3.0 devices?

The maximum data transfer speed for USB 3.0 devices is 5 Gbps (gigabits per second). This standard was a significant improvement over its predecessor, USB 2.0, which offered a maximum speed of 480 Mbps (megabits per second). The adoption of USB 3.0 allowed for much faster data transfer rates, making it suitable for applications that require high-bandwidth such as external hard drives, HD video transfers, and more advanced peripherals.

It's also important to recognize that although subsequent standards, such as USB 3.1 and USB 3.2, offer even higher transfer speeds (10 Gbps and 20 Gbps, respectively), those speeds are not applicable to USB 3.0 itself. Therefore, while USB technology continues to evolve, the data transfer rate of 5 Gbps remains the defining characteristic for USB 3.0 devices.