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applefan9215

macrumors member
Original poster
Jan 12, 2019
33
24
I've been looking for a definitive answer but came up empty-handed. Did Apple actually sneak USB 3 compatible Lightning ports in or are they still the older USB 2.0 standard?
 
That depends on what you're doing. I believe the situation is same as the 2017 iPad Pros. Acts as USB 3.0 host (e.g. importing from memory cards via USB 3.0 adapter) but only USB 2.0 client (e.g. transferring data between iPad and computer via iTunes).
 
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That depends on what you're doing. I believe the situation is same as the 2017 iPad Pros. Acts as USB 3.0 host (e.g. importing from memory cards via USB 3.0 adapter) but only USB 2.0 client (e.g. transferring data between iPad and computer via iTunes).

Thank you so much. I was not planning on really doing anything, it was more just curiosity.
 
From the ifixit tear down, the usb controller is the same that is found in the iphones. These support fast charging but do not support usb 3 transfer speeds of any kind.

You can tell just by looking at the port, the 10.5” iPad with usb 3 transfer speeds, has connectors on both the top and bottom of the port. The mini 5, and the new air, only have one, like the iPhones.

In short - no, they are still usb 2 speed.
 
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