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iPad Air iPad Air 4 max WiFi speed? Intel modem issue

F23

F23

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jan 4, 2014
800
2,171
What’s the max WiFi speed you have gotten with any of the new iPads? they have the Intel modem which is notorious for being trash. I have 450 mbps internet, my Mac mini, iPhone 12 Pro, Apple TV 4th gen all achieve this max speed. My iPad Air 4 can only reach 270 mbps max. My previous iPhone XS was the same bc it had an Intel modem too. It never got past 270 mbps which seems to be the limitation of the Intel modem no matter what speed available.

i wanted to see what speeds other iPad users are getting.
 
I have the 2018 12.9 Pro and had the XS Max, both of which have the Intel XMM7560 modem. On the 12.9 Pro, I just measured 577 Mbps down from my xfinity modem/router with GB connectivity (from 2 rooms and 4 walls away).
 
It’s max wifi speed theoretically is 1.2Gbps according to the compare iPads part of the Apple website

though I’m not sure if this is the the answer your looking for based on the headline.
 
sparksd said:
I have the 2018 12.9 Pro and had the XS Max, both of which have the Intel XMM7560 modem. On the 12.9 Pro, I just measured 577 Mbps down from my xfinity modem/router with GB connectivity (from 2 rooms and 4 walls away).
Click to expand...
That’s strange. Welp idk how to fix it sigh
 
Homme said:
It’s max wifi speed theoretically is 1.2Gbps according to the compare iPads part of the Apple website

though I’m not sure if this is the the answer your looking for based on the headline.
Click to expand...
Yeah that’s what I don’t get. What’s keeping it at 270
 
F23 said:
What’s the max WiFi speed you have gotten with any of the new iPads? they have the Intel modem which is notorious for being trash. I have 450 mbps internet, my Mac mini, iPhone 12 Pro, Apple TV 4th gen all achieve this max speed. My iPad Air 4 can only reach 270 mbps max. My previous iPhone XS was the same bc it had an Intel modem too. It never got past 270 mbps which seems to be the limitation of the Intel modem no matter what speed available.

i wanted to see what speeds other iPad users are getting.
Click to expand...
Your internet service provider isn't throttling your network?
 
AutomaticApple said:
Your internet service provider isn't throttling your network?
Click to expand...
No I always get full speed 450+ mbps on all other devices 24/7. The iPad only ever gets 270 no matter what. I’ve tried every scenario to make sure it’s the priority device with full bandwidth available.
 
F23 said:
No I always get full speed 450+ mbps on all other devices 24/7. The iPad only ever gets 270 no matter what. I’ve tried every scenario to make sure it’s the priority device with full bandwidth available.
Click to expand...

Have you tried a reset of network settings on it?
 
RunsForFun said:
Do you have both 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks? Is it somehow on the 2.4GHz one?
Click to expand...
no it's Google Nest WiFi. I checked the connection type in the Google Home app and confirmed 5 GHz
 
My '20 Pro, which has an older version of the chip in the Air 4, has no problems negotiating a max 866.7 Mbps link with my AC1200 router when in close proximity. Likewise for my XS. All are 2x2.

I don't have an easy way to test the actual throughput, due to my paltry service connection, but in theory at least, there aren't any apparent faults with Apple's hardware.

If Google's software allows for advanced settings, verify that things like the channel width setting isn't limited.

BTW, Intel's cellular modems have nothing to do with the Wi-Fi performance of Apple's recent devices, which have USI combo WiFi/BT modules, probably based on Broadcom designs.
 
Homme said:
It’s max wifi speed theoretically is 1.2Gbps according to the compare iPads part of the Apple website

though I’m not sure if this is the the answer your looking for based on the headline.
Click to expand...
are you sure? I think it's a 2x2 antenna, so theoretical around 800mbps. same as macbook air.
 

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F23 said:
No I always get full speed 450+ mbps on all other devices 24/7. The iPad only ever gets 270 no matter what. I’ve tried every scenario to make sure it’s the priority device with full bandwidth available.
Click to expand...

You get 450Mbps+ on other wireless devices in your home?
 
TheIntruder said:
My '20 Pro, which has an older version of the chip in the Air 4, has no problems negotiating a max 866.7 Mbps link with my AC1200 router when in close proximity. Likewise for my XS. All are 2x2.

I don't have an easy way to test the actual throughput, due to my paltry service connection, but in theory at least, there aren't any apparent faults with Apple's hardware.

If Google's software allows for advanced settings, verify that things like the channel width setting isn't limited.

BTW, Intel's cellular modems have nothing to do with the Wi-Fi performance of Apple's recent devices, which have USI combo WiFi/BT modules, probably based on Broadcom designs.
Click to expand...
I think there's a signal strength issue with the Intel WiFi modem. there were many threads about the wifi issues with the iPhone XS and I'm experiencing the same problem. just like how the new Qualcomm modems are performing much better on speed and even on poor signal strength, both on cellular and WiFi. the Intel modem is the only thing I can blame. I don't see any other reason why my iPad can't get speeds over 270, it's like it's locked at that speed. consistently gets 270 every speed test, on different speed test servers as well.
and I can't find anyone else online talking about the slow WiFi speed on the Air 4, so idk if mine has an issue
 
F23 said:
I think there's a signal strength issue with the Intel WiFi modem. there were many threads about the wifi issues with the iPhone XS and I'm experiencing the same problem. just like how the new Qualcomm modems are performing much better on speed and even on poor signal strength, both on cellular and WiFi. the Intel modem is the only thing I can blame. I don't see any other reason why my iPad can't get speeds over 270, it's like it's locked at that speed. consistently gets 270 every speed test, on different speed test servers as well.
and I can't find anyone else online talking about the slow WiFi speed on the Air 4, so idk if mine has an issue
Click to expand...

To reiterate, do not conflate WiFi with cellular, which are two separate and distinct things, each with their own radios and frequency bands.

Apple has employed USI Wifi chips in its recent devices, and the Intel cellular modems in the devices that have them do not handle WiFi duties.

Intel does not supply Apple's WiFi solutions and the cellular moden is not responsible for whatever issues being experienced.
 
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