[hereme888]

Wasn't there a push at some point to enforce some sort of spec labeling for USB-C cables? Or was that a fantasy in my head?

[pzmarzly]

That's what Thunderbolt 4 and 5 cables essentially are - USB-C cables with guarantees on speeds and PD power.

[qrobit]

Arguably PCIe lanes the thunderbolt exposes are a differentiating factor, not the maxed-out specs that "plain" usb-c cables can have. Although to be fair, I've never used the PCIe lanes on thunderbolt ports.

[helterskelter]

USB3 has/had some color labeling standards, but I only remember seeing it with type A.

[wongarsu]

USB A cables and ports have the inner plastic piece color coded. White for USB 1, black for USB 2, blue for USB 3 (5 Gbit/s), teal for 3.1 (10 Gbit/s). Red or yellow for always-on

Blue is the only one that's actually endorsed by USB-IF. For the most part USB-IF would prefer if everyone just used their little icons. Luckily manufacturers have a bit more sense and all follow the same color scheme (apart from the occasional black sheep)