Skip to main content

⚠️ Please note that this topic or post has been archived. The information contained here may no longer be accurate or up-to-date. ⚠️

iPad lightning port vs USB C port speeds

Comments

4 comments

  • Peter Bourget

    The Lightning port/cable is USB 2.0 and can only transfer up to 5 Gbps (gigabits per second) The USB-C port with the correct cable on the newest iPad can transfer at 40 Gbps. However, the first USB-C iPads were still using USB 2.0 slow speeds. You need to look at the specs for that model iPad and make sure it runs at the higher speed. Also, don't buy cheap USB-C cables as the cable may limit the speed. Yes, they cost more but Apple and MiFI certified cables work at the rated speed.

    The newer iPad performs as fast as a laptop or desktop Mac/PC as far as transfer speeds and is well worth it, way faster.

    1
  • JF
    Up-and-comer

    FYI, USB 2.0 speeds are quite slow at 480 megabits per second (Mbps), not 5Gbps.  Some 2018 iPad models  are only USB 2.0.  Some iPad Pro models are USB 3.0 which can be 5 Gbps.  It's not entirely clear which 2018 model the OP has, but it seems likely it's only USB 2.0 at 480 Mbps.

    0
  • Peter Bourget

    Thanks, I thought the 480Mbs was actually correct but it is getting really difficult to find the correct data on the internet these days. There is so much conflicting info that if it isn't something you keep up with you don't know what is true.

    I have the newest iPad Pro and its port speed is USB4/Thunderbolt 3 (Up to 40 Gbps). I've never tested it but I do use a Thunderbolt 3 SSD and matching cable and am quite happy with performance copying files.

    As I mentioned above, using the correct cable is very important as some USB-C cables are rated for slower speeds.

    0
  • JF
    Up-and-comer

    At least much of the world is moving to just tagging USB ports with their speed 5Gbps, 10Gbps, 20Gbps or 40Gbps which is so much more user friendly than USB 3.0, USB 3.1, USB 3.2, USB 3.2 2x2, etc...  USB4  (40Gbps) rocks. 

    You are absolutely correct about cables.  I've even taken to labelling some of my cables with their rated speed if they aren't already labelled.  I've probably got 40 USB cables lying around accumulated over a lot of years (some for charging, some for data) and who knows what speed most of them are capable of.

    0

Please sign in to leave a comment.