New 10th-Generation iPad Packs A Slower USB-C Port Compared To Older Models

The most recent iPad Pro, iPad Air, and iPad mini models all have faster USB-C ports than Apple’s just-announced 10th-generation iPad. Some reviews have noted that the device’s USB-C connector is restricted to USB 2.0 data transfer with speeds of up to 480Mbps. As a result, the USB-C port on the 10th-generation iPad allows for the same data transfer rates as the Lightning connector on the ninth-generation iPad.

The data transfer rates on all other iPad models with USB-C connections are faster. In comparison, the fifth-generation iPad Air can move data at up to 10Gbps, the fourth-generation iPad Air can send data at up to 5Gbps, and iPad Pro models with the M1 chip and newer are compatible with Thunderbolt 3 for data transfer speeds up to 40Gbps.

It’s possible that Apple purposefully withheld information on the USB 2.0 Type-C port on the most recent iPad. Professionals who will actually be impacted by these slower charging speeds are not the demographic that the company is targeting with this new tablet.

The new 10th-generation iPad packs a larger 10.9-inch display with slimmer bezels, flat edges, A14 Bionic chip, a USB-C port, a Touch ID power button, a FaceTime camera in landscape mode, 5G support on cellular models, and Wi-Fi 6. The tablet also comes with a new two-piece Magic Keyboard Folio accessory with a row of function keys.