A group of over 50 Chinese tech companies is introducing something that could shake up how we connect our devices: a new cable standard called the General Purpose Media Interface, or GPMI. It’s designed to handle everything from high-resolution video to fast data transfers and power delivery—all through a single cable.

GPMI comes in two versions, according to HKEPC. First up is Type-B, the more powerful version with a proprietary connector. It’s capable of transferring up to 192 Gbps of data and delivering 480 watts of power. For comparison, the widely used HDMI 2.1 tops out at just 48 Gbps and doesn’t handle power at all.

The other version is GPMI Type-C, which is built to work with existing USB-C ports. It offers 96 Gbps of bandwidth and up to 240 watts of power—still a huge step up from today’s USB4 and Thunderbolt 4 cables, which max out at 40 Gbps.

So whether you’re powering a laptop, connecting a display, or transferring large files, GPMI is aiming to make it easier by combining all of those tasks into one cord.

GPMI is built with 8K video in mind—which is four times the resolution of 4K and sixteen times more than standard HD. That’s a lot of pixels to push through a cable, especially if you’re trying to maintain high frame rates and vibrant colors.

Instead of juggling separate cables for power, video, and data, GPMI is meant to streamline everything into one connection. That could be a game-changer for anyone setting up a home theater, working with high-end displays, or trying to simplify a cluttered workspace.

(Image Credit: Hisilicon)

GPMI also supports features like device control over a single remote, similar to HDMI-CEC. So if your TV, soundbar, and streaming device all use GPMI, you could potentially control them all at once.

The Type-C version of GPMI has already been licensed by the USB Implementers Forum, so it should play nicely with existing USB-C gear. That means newer laptops, docks, and monitors could start supporting it sooner than later.

Type-B, on the other hand, uses a proprietary connector—which might make it a harder sell outside of China, where HDMI and USB-C are already so common. Still, it’s the only version that delivers the full 192 Gbps and 480W combo, which could appeal to some high-performance setups.

Several well-known Chinese companies are backing GPMI, including TCL, Hisense, Huawei, and HiSilicon. The initial rollout will likely start with TVs and monitors before expanding into areas like automotive tech and industrial equipment.

Here’s a quick look at how GPMI compares to other connection standards:

In short: GPMI offers more data and more power in one cable than any of the current mainstream options.

Beyond just speed and power, GPMI also supports daisy chaining, networking, and some security and power efficiency features. It’s being positioned as a do-it-all cable—whether you’re watching 8K video, transferring files, charging a laptop, or running multiple devices from one port.

Still, the big question is how widely it will be adopted. GPMI is clearly being developed with the Chinese market in mind, and it’s too soon to tell whether tech companies elsewhere will be eager to adopt a new proprietary standard—especially when so many are already invested in HDMI and USB-C.

There’s no set launch date yet, but GPMI-enabled products could show up in TVs and monitors first, with other types of devices to follow. The rollout is expected to happen in phases, starting with consumer electronics, then moving into vehicles and more industrial uses.

Whether it becomes a new global standard or remains mostly a regional solution, GPMI is a clear attempt to simplify how we power and connect our devices. It’s one more step toward fewer cables—and maybe a less tangled setup behind the TV.